Kerala govt softens stand on Sabarimala women entry, seeks ‘wider consultation’ before any change

The Kerala government has softened its stance on the entry of women of a particular age group into the Sabarimala temple, calling for wider consultation before any changes are made to the long-standing religious practice. In written submissions before the Supreme Court, the state government said that views of eminent religious scholars and reputed social reformers of the Hindu religion should be sought before any final decision is taken.

The submissions were made ahead of the hearing by a nine-judge Constitution bench that will examine key constitutional questions arising from petitions seeking a review of the Supreme Court’s September 28, 2018 verdict. That landmark judgment had struck down the restriction on the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala shrine.

The state government argued that judicial review of religious practices should not focus on whether a belief appeals to reason or sentiment, but on whether it is genuinely and conscientiously held as part of religious faith and practice. It said that traditions followed for many years and connected with the beliefs and values of devotees should be evaluated only after careful consultation and consideration.

According to the submissions, previous experiences surrounding the Sabarimala issue and the response from devotees, including women devotees, also support the need for a broader and more balanced consultation process. The government suggested that the court should assess opinions from social reformers and religious scholars before delivering a final ruling on the matter.

The Supreme Court has framed seven key constitutional questions to be examined by the Constitution bench, including the relationship between the right to freedom of religion under Articles 25 and 26 and other fundamental rights. The court is scheduled to begin hearing the matter on April 7, 2026.