Supreme Court Questions NGO's Role in Sabarimala Temple Women Entry PIL

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, critically evaluated an NGO that filed a PIL allowing women's entry into the Sabarimala Temple, questioning its motives and religious beliefs.

Chief Justice Surya Kant, heading a nine-judge constitution bench, probed what the NGO aimed to achieve by filing the PIL in 2006. The court raised concerns about the NGO's legitimacy in advocating for women's temple entry rights. Justices queried how a juristic entity like the NGO could claim religious beliefs or the right to worship.

During the proceedings, the bench emphasized the misuse of Public Interest Litigations (PILs), suggesting the case might be dismissed, citing that PILs are often wrongly utilized for publicity. The case's hearing remains incomplete and will resume on Wednesday, amid ongoing debates over religious freedom and women's rights at worship sites.

(With inputs from agencies.)