In a major political and religious development, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala has taken a significant policy shift regarding the entry of women into the Sabarimala Temple.

The government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, has now decided to support the restriction on women below the age of 50 entering the shrine, citing the need to preserve centuries-old religious traditions associated with the temple.

The decision marks a notable departure from the state government's earlier position in 2018, when it supported the entry of women of all ages into the temple following a Supreme Court verdict.

Policy Reversal Announced After Cabinet Meeting

The new stance was finalised during a special cabinet meeting convened by the Kerala government on March 13.

During the meeting, the government decided to endorse the position of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple and has been advocating for the continuation of traditional entry rules.

The board maintains that women of menstruating age — typically below 50 — should not be allowed to enter the shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.

Following the cabinet decision, the state government will inform the Supreme Court of India that it supports preserving these longstanding customs.

Affidavit to be Filed in Supreme Court

The Kerala government is expected to submit an affidavit before the Supreme Court by March 14, responding to a set of questions raised by the court.

The court has asked the state to clarify its views on seven constitutional and legal issues related to the Sabarimala temple case.

These queries are part of the ongoing legal process linked to review petitions challenging the landmark 2018 Supreme Court judgment that permitted women of all ages to enter the temple.

The review petitions are scheduled to be heard starting April 7 by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

Background: The 2018 Supreme Court Verdict

The controversy surrounding the Sabarimala Temple began with a landmark ruling in 2018.

In that judgment, the Supreme Court of India allowed women of all age groups to enter the temple, declaring that restrictions based on biological factors violated constitutional principles of equality.

The decision overturned an earlier 1991 ruling by the Kerala High Court, which had upheld the ban on women between the ages of 10 and 50.

The case itself originated from a petition filed by the Indian Young Lawyers Association in 2006.

Massive Protests Followed the Verdict

The 2018 judgment triggered widespread protests across Kerala, with many devotees arguing that the court’s ruling interfered with centuries-old religious traditions.

Supporters of the restriction maintained that the ban was not discriminatory but part of a unique religious practice linked to the celibate nature of Lord Ayyappa.

At the time, the government led by Pinarayi Vijayan supported the implementation of the court’s ruling and defended women's entry into the temple.

However, the new stance represents a major shift in the government’s position on the issue.

BJP Criticises Government’s U-Turn

The political opposition has reacted strongly to the policy shift.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kummanam Rajasekharan criticised the government, accusing it of changing its position for electoral gains ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.

He questioned why activists who participated in protests against the 2018 ruling still face legal cases.

The BJP has demanded that all cases filed against demonstrators during the earlier protests should now be withdrawn.

CPI(M) Denies Ideological Shift

Despite the criticism, leaders of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) have denied that the decision represents an ideological reversal.

State secretary M. V. Govindan said the party continues to respect constitutional principles while also considering the sentiments of devotees.

He explained that the Supreme Court’s current questions relate to broader constitutional matters affecting religious practices, not simply a yes-or-no decision on women's entry.

According to him, the government is attempting to balance religious traditions with legal and constitutional considerations.

Travancore Devaswom Board’s Position

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the temple, had earlier clarified its stance regarding women's entry.

On March 2, the board passed a resolution stating that it had never officially supported allowing women below 50 to enter the temple.

The board also clarified that a 2020 statement made by its lawyer supporting women's entry reflected a personal opinion rather than an official position.

The board reiterated its responsibility to protect the temple’s centuries-old traditions and customs.

Political Implications Ahead of Elections

Political observers believe the government’s policy shift may also be influenced by electoral considerations.

The Sabarimala issue remains a deeply emotional and politically sensitive topic in Kerala, particularly among traditionalist voters.

With state assembly elections approaching, analysts suggest the government may be attempting to avoid alienating religious devotees while also addressing legal obligations.

Opposition parties such as the Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party have previously criticised the government’s earlier stance on the issue.

Continuing Legal and Social Debate

The debate over women's entry into Sabarimala Temple remains one of the most significant legal and social controversies in recent Indian history.

The issue raises complex questions about:

• Religious freedom

• Gender equality

• Constitutional rights

• Protection of traditional customs

The upcoming Supreme Court hearings on review petitions are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the final outcome of the dispute.

Conclusion

The decision by the Kerala LDF government to support the ban on women below 50 entering Sabarimala Temple marks a major shift from its earlier stance following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling.

By backing the position of the Travancore Devaswom Board and preparing to inform the Supreme Court, the government has signalled its support for preserving traditional religious customs at the shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.

As the legal battle continues and review petitions are set to be heard in April, the issue is likely to remain a major political, legal, and social debate in Kerala and across India.

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