With Assembly elections approaching, the Left government-controlled Travancore Devaswom Board has made a significant shift in its stance on the contentious matter of women’s entry at Sabarimala temple. Board President K. Jayakumar announced that the Board would retract its previous support for women of menstruating age entering the temple and instead emphasize the preservation of traditional temple customs. This decision involves revising the 2019 affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court of India.
The move by the Devaswom Board comes amidst escalating political sensitivity surrounding the issue, which had previously sparked protests and opposition from certain devotee groups, leading to a setback for the CPI-M-led government. This adjustment is perceived as an effort to counter renewed mobilization ahead of the elections. In 2019, the Left faced a significant setback during the Lok Sabha polls due to its support for women’s entry, championed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Supreme Court has instructed all concerned parties, including the state government, to present their positions by March 14. This development places the Vijayan government in a challenging position as it prepares to formally present its stance before the apex court. While the Devaswom Board is advocating for tradition, the state’s position will be closely monitored for both political and legal ramifications.
A nine-judge Constitution Bench, to be constituted by the Chief Justice, is scheduled to commence detailed hearings on April 7. The hearings will involve written submissions in advance, with arguments expected to conclude by April 22. The Central government has expressed its backing for the review petitions challenging the earlier verdict that allowed women’s entry into Sabarimala.
Apart from the Sabarimala issue, the court will review 67 related petitions addressing broader constitutional issues regarding individual rights under Articles 25 and 26, essential religious practices, constitutional morality, and the extent of judicial review in matters of faith. As both the Devaswom Board and the state government clarify their positions, the Sabarimala matter is poised to regain prominence in the political arena shortly before the Assembly elections.
