SC opens Sabarimala gates to women aged 10-50

New Delhi (IANS): The Supreme Court on Friday opened the gates of the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala dedicated to Lord Ayyappa to the women in the age group of 10-50, saying it was violative of their fundamental rights and constitutional guarantees.

In a majority judgment, Justice Indu Malhotra, the only woman judge in the five-judge bench, gave a dissenting judgment.

Chief Justice Dipak Misra reading out the judgment also on behalf of Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, said that subversion of women's rights under the garb of a physiological phenomenon cannot be allowed.

"All devotees are equal and there cannot be any discrimination on the basis of gender," Misra said.

Justice Rohinton F. Nariman in a separate but concurring judgment said that people of all faiths visit the temples -- worshipers are not of a separate denomination.

"Religion cannot become a cover to exclude and deny women their right to worship," Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said in a separate but concurring judgment.