SC to hear review petitions on Sabarimala today

Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday the review petitions on the entry of women of menstruating age into the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. The hearing will be held at 1030 am.

The case will come up before  a Constitutional bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.

About 65 petitions seeking review on various matters in connection with the September 28 Apex  Court verdict allowing entry of women of menstruating age into Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

The September 28 verdict was issued by a SC bench comprising the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice RF Nariman, Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Indu Malhotra Though the Top Court had  earlier listed the cases for hearing on January 22, it had postponed to February 6 as Indu Malhotra was on medical leave.

The two women between 10 and 50 age group--- Ms Bindu and Ms Kanaka Durga, who managed to enter the temple, also submitted a petition against the hearing of review petitions, arguing that the earlier verdict upheld the pride and liberty of women of menstruating age.

Kerala witnessed massive protests including several hartals against the SC verdict and entry of two women into the temple during the recently concluded annual pilgrimage in the temple.

Hundreds of cases were registered in connection with various violent incidents in which several thousands of people have been arrested following agitations organised by pro-Hindu and Sabarimala Karma Samiti.

Reacting to the incident, RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat earlier said the verdict  of SC did not consider the religious sentiments of crores of Hindus who believe in Lord Ayyappa.