Sabarimala Debate: An Analysis of the Judgment of Indian Young Lawyers Association V. State of Kerala

Abstract

Religion has always remained one of the most intrinsic elements in an individual’s life. The rights to freedom of religion coupled with the right to equality are the monumental foundations of Indian democracy. When on one hand the Supreme Court was confronted to choose between women’s rights and religious rights, it inclined towards women’s rights in the case of Indian Young Lawyers’ Association v. State of Kerala and others. But was this choice made as a matter of public interest and beneficial to the general mass? This paper not only discusses the ongoing Sabarimala debate, that is, whether or not allowing women of menstruating age is a move towards women empowerment and development but also attempts to bring forth the subsequent reaction after the judgment. This research paper also attempts to comprehend whether such a decision of the Supreme Court contravenes the constitutional mandate of secularism.