The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that Hinduism is a way of life and it is not mandatory for a person to visit a temple to prove their belief. The observation was made by a nine-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant while hearing a batch of petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
The bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S Oka, Vikram Nath, J K Maheshwari, B V Nagarathna, P S Narasimha, Prashant Kumar Mishra, and K V Viswanathan, made the remarks in the context of the ongoing debate over religious practices and the rights of women to enter places of worship.
The court emphasized that Hinduism does not prescribe any rigid rituals or mandatory practices to prove one's faith. It stated that the essence of Hinduism lies in its philosophy of tolerance, pluralism, and the pursuit of truth, rather than in outward displays of devotion.
The observation came as the bench deliberated on the constitutional validity of certain religious practices that restrict the entry of women into places of worship. The court is examining whether such practices violate the fundamental rights of equality and freedom of religion guaranteed under the Constitution.
The Sabarimala temple issue has been a contentious one, with the Kerala government and various religious groups presenting their arguments before the court. The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a landmark judgment on the matter, which could have far-reaching implications for religious practices across the country.
