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Allowing women into Sabarimala temple will alter its basic character, SC told
New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) The Supreme Court was told on Wednesday that restriction on the entry of women in the reproductive age group of 10 to 50 years in Sabarimala temple is justified as Lord Ayyappa as “Naishtika Brahmachari” (perennial celibate) does not welcome their presence as it may disturb his penance.
Senior counsel K. Parasaran told the five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that Lord Ayyappa, who is in penance, does not want the character of the temple having his deity in “Naishtika Brahmacharya” to be altered, and allowing women of all ages would result in altering the basic feature of the temple.
Besides CJI Misra, other judges of the constitution bench are Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.
The distinction between the argument advanced by the petitioner seeking the entry of women of all age groups in the Sabarimala temple and the one advanced by Parasaran is that while the petitioner invoked the right of devotees, Parasaran pitched his argument on the rights of the deity of Lord Ayyappan.
The right of deity has been recognised by the Supreme Court in a catana of judgments in the past.
Parasaran appeared for the Kerala-based Nair Service Society.
Contending that a custom which is being followed since centuries has to be preserved and protected, senior counsel Parasaran urged the court not to interfere with the custom of the Sabarimala temple which is protected by the Constitution.
Urging the court not to interfere with the religious practice which is based on customs, Parasaran said that they are protected by the Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion and Article 26 guarantees freedom to manage religious affairs.
However, differing with Parasaran, the court said that the rule prohibiting the entry of women is violative of the constitutional provision undfer Article 25(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Article 25(2)(b) says that guarantee of the freedom of religion under Article 25 would not prevent the operation of existing laws or prevent the state from making any law for providing for social welfare and reform or throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.
The constitution bench is hearing an October 13, 2017 reference by a three-judge bench which had framed four questions to be addressed by it.
The four questions include whether excluding women (10-50 years) constitutes an essential religious practice and whether a religious institution can assert a claim in that regard under the umbrella of right to manage its own affairs in the matters of religion?
Besides, the court is examining whether the Ayyappa temple has a denominational character and if it was permissible for a religious denomination managed by a statutory board and funded by the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments to indulge in practices violative of the constitutional principles.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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