A verdict made in haste

Although India’s Constitution promises freedom of religion, interfering with its traditional practices may invite unrest among believers. This can be seen in the recent verdict of the Supreme Court regarding the Sabarimala temple ban on women. The ongoing agitations by various groups have caused an issue in the state of Kerala.

I believe it is not a matter that relates to gender equality, rather it’s about a tradition that is attached to the shrine. The reality is that women are not banned from entry, instead the restrictions are for a certain age-group of girls and women. A court verdict cannot overturn traditions overnight, even if the ageold custom is arguable.

Every temple in India follows its own customs. The Supreme Court of India needs to think twice before implementing such verdicts. It can create unrest within a country. Another important observation is that civil society needs to have the maturity to embrace such a change.

The state government should have waited and thoroughly examined the sentiments of the people before taking such a decision. The massive protests that have raged in Kerala have caused a lot of hassle.

As the Constitution of India was originally made many decades ago, a regular review is the need of the hour. Ideally, the court should not intervene in matters related to religion. Change must happen, but not in a rush.