Our Bureau
New Delhi
The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a nine-judge Constitution Bench to hear the contentious Sabarimala case on women’s entry rights from April 7, aiming to wrap up proceedings by April 22. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, fixed the timeline on Monday, directing parties to file written submissions by March 14.
The hearings stem from petitions challenging the court’s September 2018 verdict, which permitted women of all ages into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple, traditionally barring those of menstruating age. Review pleas will be argued April 7-9, counter-petitions April 14-16, rejoinders April 21, and final submissions April 22, starting at 10:30 am daily. The court appointed nodal counsels, Krishna Kumar Singh for review supporters and Shashwati Pari for opponents, plus amicus curiae Senior Advocate K Parameshwar with Shivam Singh.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, backed the review, signaling government opposition to unrestricted entry. This follows a lapsed 2019 nine-judge bench, where eight judges retired; Justice Surya Kant, now CJI since November 2025, remains.
Devotees and activists remain divided: temple traditionalists hail the review as safeguarding faith, while women’s rights groups decry it as regressive. The verdict could redefine rights balancing equality and religious customs, impacting India’s pluralistic ethos. As Kerala’s annual pilgrimage season nears, the ruling looms large over millions of Ayyappa devotees.
