Tensions are flaring in Kerala as the Travancore Devaswom Board makes a stunning U-turn on the contentious Sabarimala temple entry issue for women, just months before state polls. Board chief K. Jayakumar revealed the decision to retract the 2019 Supreme Court affidavit endorsing entry for women of reproductive age, opting instead to defend the shrine’s sacred customs.
The move follows intense political scrutiny, with the LDF government wary of repeating 2019’s backlash that hurt their Lok Sabha prospects. Back then, CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s aggressive push for women’s darshan triggered ‘Deviaswom March’ protests by thousands of Hindu outfits and believers.
Supreme Court’s recent order mandates responses by March 14 from the state, board, and others ahead of April 7 hearings by a larger bench. This comes after the 2018 ruling opened doors to all women, prompting review pleas highlighting faith-based exclusions.
Analysts view the board’s pivot as election damage control, aiming to placate conservative voters. The Kerala government’s dual role—controlling the board while facing court—puts it in a tight spot.
The hearings will probe wider issues across 67 petitions: personal religious freedoms, mandatory rites, clashes with constitutional morality, and courts’ intervention bounds. With the Union government backing tradition, the verdict could reshape religious jurisprudence in India.
Kerala’s faithful watch closely as tradition clashes with modernity once more.