The Travancore Devaswom Board has moved the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement the September 28 judgment in the Sabarimala Temple Entry Case..The miscellaneous application was filed today through advocate PS Sudheer..The Devaswom Board has stated in its application that despite its earnest efforts to act in accordance with the judgment, it is facing certain practical difficulties which has prompted it to approach the Supreme Court..The applicant has stated that in order to cater to the entry of women and to ensure their wellbeing, additional infrastructure such as restrooms, washroom and other facilities will have to be created at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal for which more time is required..Further, Central Empowered Committee has raised objections to making permanent constructions on the banks of river Pampa after the recent Kerala floods, the Devaswom Board submits..Interestingly, the application also refers to the violence and protests that have taken place in Kerala after the State government tried to implement the SC verdict. It states that the judgment has evoked strong response from “certain people and political parties which has led to severe law and order problems in the State, particularly in and around the temple.”.The application adverts to the instances that happened earlier this month when certain women tried to enter the temple but were unable to do so due to severe resistance by those opposing the Supreme Court judgment..“Unprecedented security and efforts of the State authorities have not discouraged the protestors from threatening and impeding the women devotees from paying obeisance at the Sabarimala temple…”.Such acts of hooliganism have been highlighted and repeatedly reported in the media (both electronic and print) and the same are in public domain, the application contends..The Devaswom Board has, therefore, prayed for more time to implement the judgment of September 28..A Constitution Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Rohinton Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Indu Malhotra had, by a 4:1 majority, struck down Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965 which was the basis for barring entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 years into the temple..The Court had held that Rule 3(b) of 1965 Rules is a clear violation of right of Hindu women to practice religion under Article 25 of the Constitution. Further, it had ruled that the bar on entry of women between age of 10 and 50 years is not an essential part of the religion..This judgment had significant ramifications in the State of Kerala with the BJP, right wing organisations, as well as the Congress Party opposing the verdict. Attempts to prevent women from entering the shrine also led to violence in and around the temple..Now, the Board, which is entrusted with the administration of the Sabarimala Temple, has sought more time to allow women between the ages of 10 and 50 years into the temple..The Supreme Court will hear review petitions filed against its September 28 judgment in open court, on January 22..Read the application filed by Travancore Devaswom Board below.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has moved the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement the September 28 judgment in the Sabarimala Temple Entry Case..The miscellaneous application was filed today through advocate PS Sudheer..The Devaswom Board has stated in its application that despite its earnest efforts to act in accordance with the judgment, it is facing certain practical difficulties which has prompted it to approach the Supreme Court..The applicant has stated that in order to cater to the entry of women and to ensure their wellbeing, additional infrastructure such as restrooms, washroom and other facilities will have to be created at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilackal for which more time is required..Further, Central Empowered Committee has raised objections to making permanent constructions on the banks of river Pampa after the recent Kerala floods, the Devaswom Board submits..Interestingly, the application also refers to the violence and protests that have taken place in Kerala after the State government tried to implement the SC verdict. It states that the judgment has evoked strong response from “certain people and political parties which has led to severe law and order problems in the State, particularly in and around the temple.”.The application adverts to the instances that happened earlier this month when certain women tried to enter the temple but were unable to do so due to severe resistance by those opposing the Supreme Court judgment..“Unprecedented security and efforts of the State authorities have not discouraged the protestors from threatening and impeding the women devotees from paying obeisance at the Sabarimala temple…”.Such acts of hooliganism have been highlighted and repeatedly reported in the media (both electronic and print) and the same are in public domain, the application contends..The Devaswom Board has, therefore, prayed for more time to implement the judgment of September 28..A Constitution Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Rohinton Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Indu Malhotra had, by a 4:1 majority, struck down Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965 which was the basis for barring entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 years into the temple..The Court had held that Rule 3(b) of 1965 Rules is a clear violation of right of Hindu women to practice religion under Article 25 of the Constitution. Further, it had ruled that the bar on entry of women between age of 10 and 50 years is not an essential part of the religion..This judgment had significant ramifications in the State of Kerala with the BJP, right wing organisations, as well as the Congress Party opposing the verdict. Attempts to prevent women from entering the shrine also led to violence in and around the temple..Now, the Board, which is entrusted with the administration of the Sabarimala Temple, has sought more time to allow women between the ages of 10 and 50 years into the temple..The Supreme Court will hear review petitions filed against its September 28 judgment in open court, on January 22..Read the application filed by Travancore Devaswom Board below.
