Supreme Court forms 9-judge bench to review 2018 Sabarimala verdict
What's the story
The Supreme Court has constituted a nine-judge bench to review its 2018 verdict on the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The decision will be headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The bench also includes Justices BV Nagarathna, MM Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, AG Masih, R Mahadevan, Prasanna B Varale, and Joymalya Bagchi.
Legal proceedings
Review to also consider judicial inquiry into religious practices
The review hearing will begin on April 7 and is expected to conclude by April 22. The bench will consider important constitutional questions related to religious freedom and constitutional morality. These include the scope of judicial inquiry into religious practices and whether essential religious practices are protected under Article 26.
Government stance
Centre opposes allowing women of all ages into temple
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, had supported the review petitions. The Centre opposes allowing women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple. The court's February 2020 order had framed seven constitutional questions on religious freedom under Articles 25 and 26 and judicial scrutiny, whether "essential religious practices" of a denomination or a section thereof are protected.
Wider implications
Review will also cover other important cases
The Supreme Court's review will also look into other cases like the excommunication practices in the Dawoodi Bohra community and religious identity after interfaith marriages for Parsi women under the Special Marriage Act. The adjudication is anticipated to significantly impact how courts weigh essential religious practices, denominational autonomy, and individual rights.