Centre Cites Women-Only Temples to Defend Sabarimala Restrictions

The Central Government on Thursday argued before a nine-judge Constitution Bench that religious restrictions are often faith-based rather than rooted in gender discrimination.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that the 2018 Sabarimala verdict wrongly presumed a patriarchal bias, noting that Hinduism features several shrines where men are restricted.

He cited examples such as the Attukal Temple and Chakkulathukavu Temple in Kerala, where women-centric rituals dominate and male priests wash the feet of female devotees.

Mehta also highlighted traditions where men must dress in women's attire to offer worship, arguing that such practices reflect diverse religious beliefs rather than a hierarchy of superiority.

[Kantaru Rajeevaru v. Indian Young Lawyers Association]