SC asks Kerala to come up with exclusive law for administering Sabarimala

New Delhi, November 20

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Kerala government to come up with an exclusive legislation regarding the administration of the historic Sabarimala temple.

A bench headed by Justice NV Ramana asked the state to place before it by third week of January next year the legislation, also covering the aspects of welfare of pilgrims visiting there.

The counsel appearing for the state said it had formulated amendments to the law that would deal with the temples and their administrations which were currently being governed by the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The draft law also proposes to give one-third representation to women in the temple advisory committee, the counsel said.

This aspect triggered a debate in the courtroom with regard to the September 2018 apex court verdict allowing entry of girls and women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple.

The state government said that for the time being, it proposed to give representation in the temple advisory committee to only those women who were above 50.

One of the judges of the bench referred to the September 28, 2018 verdict and observed that the direction allowing girls and women of all ages held the field.

The top court was hearing a plea filed in 2011 which has raised the issue of administration of Sabarimala temple. PTI