The Deepest Taboo
It is debatable whether the judicial decree can change religious rituals. The Supreme Court's decision, on women in the 10-50 age group from entering the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala, is based on rationality, which has no place in matters of faith.
The Kerala High Court had upheld the provision barring women from entering the shrine on grounds that only the presiding priest was empowered to decide on traditions. The Indian Young Lawyers Association and others challenged this ruling in the Supreme Court, arguing that the tradition was discriminatory and based on the concept of women's menstrual impurity. Justice Chandrachud held that such a restriction on women amounts to a violation of their human dignity. It was the duty of the court to uphold the constitutional morality enshrined in the preamble of the constitution, which is based on equality, freedom and human dignity, and declared that barring women's
