NEW DELHI: Putting an end to a centuries-old tradition, the Supreme Court  ruled that women, irrespective of age, can enter Sabarimala temple. Justice Indu Malhotra has dissented with Chief Justice Misra. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had reserved its judgement on August 1 after hearing the matter for eight days. The bench, which also comprised Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, had earlier said that the constitutional scheme prohibiting exclusion has "some value" in a "vibrant democracy".

The top court's verdict would deal with the petitions filed by petitioners Indian Young Lawyers Association and others. The Kerala government, which has been changing its stand on the contentious issue of women of the menstrual age group entering the Sabarimala temple, had on July 18 told the Supreme Court that it now favoured their entry. The Kerala government has changed its stand thrice in the case. Starting 2006, when the case was first taken to court, the then LDF government had chosen not to oppose the petition.The apex court had on October 13 last year referred the issue to a constitution bench after framing five "significant" questions including whether the practice of banning entry of women into the temple amounted to discrimination and violated their fundamental rights under the Constitution.