Supreme Court Examines Scope of Article 26 in Sabarimala Reference

The Supreme Court’s nine-judge bench is examining the scope of Article 26 in the Sabarimala reference, focusing on the balance between religious autonomy and state-led social reform.

The Travancore Devaswom Board argued for a middle path, stating that while Article 25(2)(b) allows the State to ensure access to temples for all sections, Article 26(b) protects a denomination’s right to manage its internal religious practices.

The Court explored whether reform can extend into core rituals, while cautioning that religion should not be “hollowed out” in the name of social change.

The matter remains under consideration.

[Kantaru Rajeevaru v. Indian Young Lawyers Association]