Supreme Court to Address Religious Gender Discrimination

The Supreme Court's nine-judge bench will begin hearings on April 7 regarding discrimination against women in religious places, including the Sabarimala Temple. The bench will explore the ambit and scope of religious freedom, addressing broader issues of women's entry into varied religious places and the interplay of constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court of India is set to start a significant hearing on April 7, tackling the issue of gender discrimination in religious places of worship. The focus will include the high-profile Sabarimala Temple case, where earlier verdicts challenged traditional restrictions on women's entry.

A nine-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant will examine constitutional frameworks guiding religious freedom. This probe extends to various faith-based practices, deliberating the rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. Discussions will also encompass the broader implications of 'judicial review' in religious contexts.

This legal juncture follows earlier Supreme Court decisions, including a landmark 2018 verdict lifting the ban on women's entry in Sabarimala. The broader objective is to establish judicial policies ensuring justice for all religious freedom matters, notably women's rights and access to places of worship across religions.

(With inputs from agencies.)