Supreme Court notifies nine-judge Bench for Sabarimala verdict review

Why in news

The Supreme Court notified a nine-judge Bench to review its 2018 verdict regarding the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

Background

The nine-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, will hear the case starting April 7th. The review follows a 2019 judgment that referred the matter to a larger Bench due to its broad implications on religious practices and judicial intervention.

Facts for Prelims

• BodyThe Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial body in the country.
• FactThe Sabarimala temple is located in the state of Kerala.
• FactThe review pertains to a 2018 verdict regarding women of menstruating age.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the tension between the right to freedom of religion and the right to equality in the context of judicial intervention in religious practices.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Constitutional conflict: Balancing Article 25 (freedom of religion) with Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination)
• Judicial overreach: Debate over the extent of judicial scrutiny into internal religious customs
• Pluralism vs. Individual Rights: Balancing collective religious traditions with individual rights to equality

Keywords: Judicial Review · Religious Freedom · Right to Equality · Constitutionalism · Sabarimala Verdict

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