Lawyer on Sabrimala entry: SC should not meddle in religious practices

New Delhi, July 26 The Pandalam Royal family on Thursday has challenged the petition seeking entry of ladies to the Sabarimala Temple, terming it to be `mischievous' as seem to focus on the practices of the Hindu faith.

Advocate Radhakrishnan, contending for the Pandalam Royal family, told the Supreme Court that it should not interfere with the religious practices that have been in place for generations.

"The petition, seeking entry of women in the age group of 10-50 to the Sabarimala temple, is mischievous since they seem to target just the acts of the Hindu faith.The Apex Court should not interfere with religious practices which have been polished for ages together," Radhakrishnan said during the argument..

While opposing the petition filed by the Indian Young Lawyers' Association (IYLA), Radhakrishnan contended that the "Will of God requires tapasya", that is 41 ldays of penance in case of atonement if there should be an occurrence of the Sabarimala Temple."

A five-judge Constitution seat of the Supreme Court on Thursday kept on hearing the case identifying with passage of ladies into the Sabarimala Temple for the 6th day.

Former Kerala High Court Judge, Justice V. Giri, now a senior lawyer, carguing on behalf of the Thantri, the central minister, of the Sabarimala temple told the Apex Court that the worship of deities must be done according to the 'Shastras'. "Love of symbols is the substance of Hindu confidence," he said.

On Wednesday , different Hindu outfits in Kerala called for a state-wide strike on July 30 against the state government's decision supporting ladies' entry inside the Sabarimala temple.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra on Wednesday questioned senior direction K. Parasaran in the matter of "why are ladies prohibited from entering it (Sabarimala temple)?" Parasaran argued that "the right of State to make laws to throw open Hindu Temples to all classes and sections of Hindus does include ladies within its scope."

On July 18, the Apex Court observed that banning the entry of ladies in Sabarimala by the temple authorities is illegal. One of the Judges, D.Y. Chandrachud had observed that the right to pray is equal for both men and women.

According to standards endorsed by the temple board, women aged between 10 and 50 are prohibited from visiting the premises. In January 2016, the court had questioned the ban, saying this cannot be done under the Constitution.

In November that year, the Kerala Government had told the Supreme Court that it was prepared to permit ladies inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, a prominent pilgrimage site among Hindu devotees in the state of Kerala.