NEW DELHI: In a written argument to the Supreme Court, the state government stated that the presence of young women will not affect the celibacy of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala temple. The claims that a 10-year-old girl will destroy the celibacy vow of the Lord is ridiculous, the government said.

As per policy, till 2007, women who had completed 35 years were eligible to be members of Travancore Devaswom Board. After 2007, the age bar was increased to 60 years. If a 35-year-old woman can become a member of the board, banning women in the age group of 35 to 50 from Sabarimala is illogical, the government pointed out.

Considering women as impure due to menstruation is an insult to human species. Avoiding women during menstrual periods is an evil tradition, the government clarified.

The government also demanded that the Constitution Bench need to examine if the ban on young women entry is an inevitable custom of any particular religion or community.