The Supreme Court has said that gender justice is endangered by ban on entry of women of menstrual age group in the historic Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation seeking entry of women in the temple, the apex court yesterday said women cannot be denied entry into the temple as long as the Constitution permits it. The bench will resume hearing on the plea on April 20 .<br/><br/>The Travancore Devaswom Board, which runs the historic temple, does not allow girls after attaining puberty to enter the premises. However, women who have crossed menopause are allowed. The bench said it would examine the question as to whether a public religious place can pass such an order. <br/><br/>The bench also took note of the Kerala government's recent stand and termed it as a somersault. The state government, in its recent affidavit, had said the prohibition of women was a matter of religion and it was duty-bound to protect the right to practice the religion of the devotees.

Supreme Court today said gender justice is endangered by ban on entry of women of menstrual age group in the historic Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The Apex court said women cannot be denied entry into the temple as long as the Constitution permits it. The court was hearing a PIL, filed by Indian Young Lawyers' Association (IYLA), seeking entry of women in the Sabarimala temple. The court will resume hearing on the plea on April 20 .<br/><br/><br/>The Travancore Devaswom Board, which runs the historic temple, does not allow girls after attaining puberty to enter the premises. However, women who have crossed menopause are allowed. The bench said it would examine the question as to whether a public religious place can pass such an order. <br/>The bench had also taken note of Kerala government's recent stand and termed it as a somersault. Kerala government, in its recent affidavit, had said the prohibition of women was a matter of religion and it was duty-bound to protect the right to practice the religion of these devotees.