The Travancore Board has blocked women from entering the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, sparking fresh controversy. The board has consistently resisted women’s entry and now plans to submit an affidavit to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a legal showdown.
Over the years, multiple petitions in Kerala opposed women from entering the temple. Traditionally, Sabarimala barred women aged 10 to 50, citing religious practices. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that women of all ages could enter the temple. In February 2020, the court expanded the discussion to broader religious customs.
Despite the ruling, the ban on women aged 10–50 has continued in practice. The Kerala High Court legalised the restriction in 1991. In 2006, the Young Lawyers Association challenged it in the Supreme Court, arguing that it violated the Constitution. The 2018 verdict allowed all women entry, yet the Travancore Board’s renewed opposition adds a new twist.
This move has drawn widespread attention across Kerala and India. The case highlights the clash between traditional religious practices and constitutional rights. As it returns to the Supreme Court, the ruling could determine the future of women’s access to one of India’s most famous temples.
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