Sabarimala: SC to hear review petitions on Jan 22, no stay on women entry order

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday agreed to hear review petitions against its verdict, which allowed women of menstruating age inside the premises of Sabarimala Temple. The court has however not ordered any stay on its earlier verdict.

The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Indu Malhotra will hear 49 petitions on January 22.

Advocate Mathew Nedumpara said, "The Supreme Court has admitted the review petitions and said all the review petitions to be heard on January 22 in the open court."

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "The Supreme Court has clearly said that its verdict allowing entry of women between age groups 10-50 years to Sabarimala Temple stands. Review petitions will be heard on January 22, after the 'Makaravilakku' season ends on January 21. Government will discuss with legal experts and move forward."

BJP's Kerala unit general secretary K. Surendran called the apex court's decision to hear the merits of the review petitions in an open court a victory for the protesters.

"It is an initial victory of Lord Ayappa devotees. We are hopeful of overcoming the SC verdict when review petitions are heard. We will continue our fight until the end," he said.

The Sabarimala Temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests last month over the SC's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the holy shrine.

Following the decision of the top court, protests erupted challenging the verdict. As many as 3505 protesters have been arrested so far in connection with the violence that broke out in the state, while around 529 cases have been registered across the state.