Apex Court asks Kerala to form exclusive law on Sabarimala Temple

On 20 Nov, the Supreme Court of India asked the Kerala government to come out with an exclusive legislation regarding the administration of the Sabarimala temple. The bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana asked the state to replace the existing legislation by the January next year, also covering the aspect of welfare of pilgrims visiting the temple.  The draft law also proposes to give one-third representation to women in the temple advisory committee.  Presently, the administration of the temple is being governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The court was hearing a plea filed in 2011 which has raised the issue of administration of Sabarimala temple.

The SC decision triggered a debate in the courtroom with regard to September 2018 apex court verdict allowing entry of girls and women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple.  However, the court had not stayed the 2018 verdict that had allowed entry of girls and women of all ages into Sabarimala temple.