'A Hindu is a Hindu', says SC on women at Sabarimala temple

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday has observed that there is no denomination of a Hindu male or female in Hindu religion.

"In the Hindu religion, there is no denomination of a Hindu male or female. A Hindu is a Hindu," the court said.

"If a given denomination is allowed entry inside temple, should women be denied entry?" the court asked.

On Tuesday, the apex court had asked what right the Sabrimala temple trust had to forbid women from entering the Kerala temple and if this bar was constitutionally permissible.

"What right do they (Sabrimala temple trust) have to forbid the women not to enter any part of the temple," the court asked.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the 'Indian Young Lawyers' Association', seeking entry of women in the Sabarimala temple.

The hearing came close on the heels of the Bombay High Court order directing Maharashtra Government to ensure that women are not denied entry at any temple.

Defending the ban, the Sabarimala temple administration earlier said the tradition is connected to essential religious practice.

Supporting them, the Kerala Government told the court that beliefs and customs of devotees cannot be changed through a judicial process and that the opinion of the priests is final in matters of religion.