Divine directive: Tantri cites ‘Devaprasnam’ in plea to uphold Sabarimala customs

NEW DELHI: Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru has informed the Supreme Court that the ban on women entering Sabarimala should continue. In a written submission, the Tantri stated that results from the Devaprasnam (a ritual seeking divine opinion) clearly indicate the ban should remain, and that this should be accepted as an authoritative directive from the divine power.

The Supreme Court had set a deadline of the 23rd of this month for various parties to submit their arguments regarding the entry of women into the shrine. As a primary party in the case, Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru submitted his arguments accordingly. Similarly, the Pandalam Palace Executive Committee argued that courts are not the final arbiters of religious customs and that long-standing traditions must be preserved. The NSS (Nair Service Society) also informed the court of its stance that these customs should be upheld.

The state government previously filed a 17-page affidavit addressing seven constitutional questions. In this document, the government suggests that if a judicial examination of Sabarimala's centuries-old rituals is required, it should only be conducted after detailed discussions with scholars and social reformers from the relevant community. The government maintains that proper study and impartial expert opinions are essential for the fair implementation of justice before any changes are made to traditional rituals.

A nine-member bench is set to begin hearings on April 7 to address seven broader questions regarding religious freedom and women's rights. The court has clarified that the mission of this larger bench is not merely to decide on Sabarimala review petitions, but to resolve underlying legal issues. Conversely, the Indian Young Lawyers Association—the group that originally sought the entry of women—continues to argue that the verdict allowing entry should be upheld.

The government’s shift in stance is seen by some as a strategic move by the Left Front to appease believers ahead of the upcoming elections. This contrasts with the period following the original Supreme Court verdict on September 28, 2018, when the government actively supported women's entry through initiatives like the Navotthana Samiti and the "Women's Wall." At that time, then-Devaswom Board President A. Padmakumar, who expressed disagreement with the verdict, was publicly corrected by the Chief Minister.