In a path-breaking verdict to ensure gender equality at religious places, the Supreme Court on Friday opened the doors of Sabarimala Temple in Kerala to women devotees of all age groups and bulldozed the age-old gender barrier of not allowing women in the menstruating age group of 10-50 inside the temple to worship Lord Ayyappa. A five-judge Constitution bench, by a majority of 4-1, held that the devotees of Lord Ayyappa were “exclusively Hindus” and do not constitute a separate religious denomination and the practice of exclusion of women of the age group of 10 to 50 years, followed at the Sabarimala Temple, could not be regarded as an essential part of religion. Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud were unanimous in their view that the practice of barring women devotees in the 10-50 years’ age group was illegal, unconstitutional and arbitrary. But Justice Indu Malhotra, the lone woman judge on the bench, penned a dissenting verdict holding that worshippers of Lord Ayyappa belonged to a separate religious denomination and the ban on entry of women in the temple was an essential part of their religion. Referring to restrictions on women belonging to the reproductive age of 10-50 years, the apex court said any subversion and repression of women under the garb of biological or physiological factors (like menstruation) could not be given the seal of legitimacy, and any discrimination against women because of their biological characteristics was not only “unfounded, indefensible and implausible, but can also never pass the muster of constitutionality”. “Any relationship with the Creator is a transcendental one crossing all socially created artificial barriers and not a negotiated relationship bound by terms and conditions. Such a relationship and expression of devotion cannot be circumscribed by dogmatic notions of biological or physiological factors arising out of rigid socio-cultural attitudes which do not meet the constitutionally prescribed tests. Patriarchy in religion cannot be permitted to trump the element of pure devotion borne out of faith and the freedom to practice and profess one’s religion,” Chief Justice Dipak Mishra, who wrote the judgment on behalf of himself and Justice Khanwilkar, said. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHXm-GUL3-Q

“Hello everyone! Today we’re going to talk about the top 5 news stories in the United States on October 17, 2023. First up, on this day in 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries declared an oil embargo on countries supporting Israel in its war with Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Next, a 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting at Morgan State University. Prosecutors say that the suspect in the death of a Palestinian American boy was obsessed with the Israel-Hamas war. A Chilean national wanted in the killing of famed singer-activist Victor Jara is now in custody after his US citizenship was revoked. Finally, the United States is expanding its military presence near Israel to deter hostile actions. That’s all for today’s news roundup! Thank you for watching and don’t forget to subscribe for more updates.” ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJn2rjKIiwA