Counsel for tantri says the right to enter a temple should be in sync with practices followed there
As a Supreme Court Bench examines the broader implications of its 2018 Sabarimala ruling, the case prompts a look into the evolution of the essential religious practice doctrine, role of the State and the judiciary in religious reform, and the arguments over whether Ayyappa followers qualify as a religious denomination
Legislature, not courts, is entitled to enact social reform, the Centre responds; as the Union government argues whether the judges have the expertise to decide on the matter, the court says it is empowered to examine opinions of experts.