Even as the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on a batch of petitions seeking re-examination of its decision to allow entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala temple in Kerala, on Thursday, social activist Rahul Easwar said he is hopeful of a positive verdict.
Easwar told news agency ANI that it is important that "we win," as it would be great victory for all temples, churches and mosques.
The court is set to deliver its judgement on as many as 65 petitions—including 56 review petitions and four fresh writ petitions and five transfer pleas—which were filed after its verdict sparked violent protests in Kerala.
"We are not saying that faith is above all, we are only asking for what the Constitution allows us under Articles 25 and 26." Easwar was quoted as saying.
The activist said they are only demanding for the rights of the deity and the devotees and added that whichever way the verdict goes, they are ready with a plan B. "Whichever way the decision goes, we have a plan B where we are already ready with the curative petition. We will also request for an ordinance from the Central government," he told the news agency.
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Speaking about the review petition, he said it has three points. Noting that they don't claim that faith is above law, he said they are only asking for protection under Article 25 and 26. He said they are only asking that the rights of the deity and devotees be reinstated. "We are also raising a nuanced point that temple, churches and mosques are not public spaces but private spaces for public worship," he told ANI.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had reserved its decision on February 6 after hearing various parties including those seeking re-consideration of the September 28, 2018 judgement.
The apex court, by a majority verdict of 4:1, on September 38, 2018, had lifted the ban that prevented women and girls between the age of 10 and 50 from entering the famous Ayyappa shrine in Kerala and had held that this centuries-old Hindu religious practice was illegal and unconstitutional.
