Canada said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) it will temporarily ban residents from three African countries amid an Ebola outbreak. Residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan will be banned from entering Canada for 90 days starting on Wednesday (May 27, 2026)
Stray dog at Hyderabad airport lounge seen eating leftovers, sparks hygiene debateA stray dog spotted at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport lounge in Hyderabad has gone viral after being seen eating leftovers. Published on: May 27, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Vaishali Kapila Share via Copy link A video
Kareena Kapoor's nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar shares 3 desi hacks to beat the heat naturally at home: Wala roots to…To combat heat, Rujuta Diwekar recommends adding vetiver roots to water, applying henna to the hands and drinking buttermilk with spices. Here's how they help. Updated on: May 27
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham termed "problematic" the role of Pakistan as a mediator in the United States' war with Iran. Mr. Graham's remarks came as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said he is not in favour of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords
Ashneer Grover once shut down his pitch with ‘Tu baith jaa yar’. Now he’s headed to Y CombinatorAn entrepreneur has shared his journey from being dismissed by Ashneer Grover to getting into the world’s most prestigious startup accelerator, Y Combinator. Updated on: May 27
Just Like That: Sabarimala temple debate on faith, equality and path to reform
Just Like That: Sabarimala temple debate on faith, equality and path to reform
Just Like That: Sabarimala temple debate on faith, equality and path to reform
Women’s entry at Sabarimala remains contested as society navigates between age-old religious customs and India’s commitment to equality
Updated on: Mar 08, 2026 9:49 AM IST By Pavan K Varma Share via Copy link Last week, at the conclave of a national TV channel, I was in an interesting debate on the question of religious customs and traditions, and the right to change them, either by citizens themselves or through the intervention of the state or the judiciary. Specifically, much of the discussion focused on the question of the entry of girls and women between the ages of ten and fifty at the Sabarimala temple. The Supreme Court of India, in its landmark judgment of 2018, held that the exclusion of women of menstruating age from the shrine of Lord Ayyappa was unconstitutional I have been a life-long student of Hindu philosophy. For me, as a general rule, spirituality unites, and religion—in its practice—often divides. For instance, as per the Advaita or Vedantic doctrine—perhaps the most powerful school of Hindu philosophy—there can be no hierarchy or exclusion between human beings because the same cosmic consciousness is in all of us. In the 8th century, when the disciples of Adi Shankaracharya sought to remove a ‘chandala’ or so-called ‘untouchable’ from his vicinity, the chandala himself questioned the great philosopher on how this was legitimate when the same Brahman was both within him and in Adi Shankaracharya. It is said that the sage then composed the five-verse Manishapanchakam on the spot. Each stanza ended with the line: Chandala stu sa dvijo stu, gururityesha manisha mama: a person may be a chandala or a twice-born (upper caste); for me, both are gurus—this is my solemn resolve. I think this incident has a bearing on the Sabarimala matter. The Supreme Court of India, in its landmark judgment of 2018, held that the exclusion of women of menstruating age from the shrine of Lord Ayyappa was unconstitutional. Yet, the matter refuses to settle. Review petitions have been filed, and society remains divided between reverence for tradition and the call for reform. At first glance, the defenders of the ban invoke religious custom. They argue that Lord Ayyappa is an eternal naisthika brahmachari—a celibate ascetic—and that the presence of women of reproductive age is incompatible with the sanctity of this vow. According to them, the centuries-old practice of barring women between 10 and 50 is intrinsic to the character of the shrine, and therefore protected under the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution. But this argument raises a larger question: is religious custom sacrosanct forever? Indian history suggests otherwise. Religion in India has never been a frozen edifice. It has evolved continuously through introspection, reform, and reinterpretation. Consider the practice of sati, where widows were compelled or persuaded to immolate themselves on the funeral pyres of their husbands. For centuries, it was defended by its supporters as a sacred duty rooted in scriptural sanction. Yet determined opposition by reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy led to it being outlawed in 1829. Similarly, temple entry itself was once denied to so-called untouchables. The struggle against this injustice was long and arduous, leading eventually to the Temple Entry Proclamation, which threw open temples in Travancore to all Hindus regardless of caste. The cause of women’s dignity, too, found champions in India’s reformist tradition. The campaign for widow remarriage, for instance, was spearheaded by visionary reformers such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Through his efforts, the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856 was enacted, transforming the lives of countless women who had been condemned to a life of social death. The case of Sabarimala must therefore be seen in this broader historical context. The exclusion of women between 10 and 50 is based on the notion that menstruation renders them impure, or that their presence disturbs the celibate austerity of Lord Ayyappa. Yet such reasoning sits uneasily with the spiritual philosophy that underpins Hinduism itself. Moreover, the argument that the presence of women would defile the vow of a deity seems philosophically tenuous. Can the spiritual power of a divine being be so fragile that it is threatened by the mere presence of women? Faith, if it is genuine, should inspire confidence rather than insecurity. It is also important to remember that the Indian Constitution enshrines equality as a foundational principle. Articles guaranteeing equality before the law and prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sex are part of our fundamental rights. When religious practices conflict with these constitutional values, society must ask whether such practices deserve continued protection. Yet law alone cannot resolve what is essentially a social and cultural question. For many devotees, Sabarimala is not merely a temple but a deeply cherished tradition. The annual pilgrimage, with its arduous trek and strict vows of austerity, fosters a powerful sense of spiritual community. To dismiss the anxieties of devotees as mere obscurantism would be both unfair and counterproductive. Reform in India has rarely succeeded through confrontation alone. It has required dialogue, persuasion, and the gradual reshaping of social attitudes. The Sabarimala controversy should therefore be approached with sensitivity as well as firmness. Devotion deserves respect, but discrimination cannot be defended in its name. India’s civilisational history offers a clear answer. Time and again, when confronted with the choice between rigid orthodoxy and humane reform, the nation has moved—sometimes slowly, sometimes reluctantly—towards greater justice. The Sabarimala debate is another chapter in that long journey. Faith need not fear equality. Indeed, when religion embraces the dignity of every human being, it acquires a deeper and more enduring sanctity. (Pavan K Varma is an author, diplomat, and former member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). The views expressed are personal) Sabarimala Temple Women's Rights Check India news real-time updates, latest news from India, latest India vs England LIVE Score, at HindustanTime News / India News / Just Like That: Sabarimala Temple Debate On Faith, Equality And Path To Reform See LessLast week, at the conclave of a national TV channel, I was in an interesting debate on the question of religious customs and traditions, and the right to change them, either by citizens themselves or through the intervention of the state or the judiciary. Specifically, much of the discussion focused on the question of the entry of girls and women between the ages of ten and fifty at the Sabarimala temple.
I have been a life-long student of Hindu philosophy. For me, as a general rule, spirituality unites, and religion—in its practice—often divides. For instance, as per the Advaita or Vedantic doctrine—perhaps the most powerful school of Hindu philosophy—there can be no hierarchy or exclusion between human beings because the same cosmic consciousness is in all of us. In the 8th century, when the disciples of Adi Shankaracharya sought to remove a ‘chandala’ or so-called ‘untouchable’ from his vicinity, the chandala himself questioned the great philosopher on how this was legitimate when the same Brahman was both within him and in Adi Shankaracharya. It is said that the sage then composed the five-verse Manishapanchakam on the spot. Each stanza ended with the line: Chandala stu sa dvijo stu, gururityesha manisha mama: a person may be a chandala or a twice-born (upper caste); for me, both are gurus—this is my solemn resolve.
I think this incident has a bearing on the Sabarimala matter. The Supreme Court of India, in its landmark judgment of 2018, held that the exclusion of women of menstruating age from the shrine of Lord Ayyappa was unconstitutional. Yet, the matter refuses to settle. Review petitions have been filed, and society remains divided between reverence for tradition and the call for reform.
At first glance, the defenders of the ban invoke religious custom. They argue that Lord Ayyappa is an eternal naisthika brahmachari—a celibate ascetic—and that the presence of women of reproductive age is incompatible with the sanctity of this vow. According to them, the centuries-old practice of barring women between 10 and 50 is intrinsic to the character of the shrine, and therefore protected under the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution.
But this argument raises a larger question: is religious custom sacrosanct forever?
Indian history suggests otherwise. Religion in India has never been a frozen edifice. It has evolved continuously through introspection, reform, and reinterpretation. Consider the practice of sati, where widows were compelled or persuaded to immolate themselves on the funeral pyres of their husbands. For centuries, it was defended by its supporters as a sacred duty rooted in scriptural sanction. Yet determined opposition by reformers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy led to it being outlawed in 1829.
Similarly, temple entry itself was once denied to so-called untouchables. The struggle against this injustice was long and arduous, leading eventually to the Temple Entry Proclamation, which threw open temples in Travancore to all Hindus regardless of caste.
The cause of women’s dignity, too, found champions in India’s reformist tradition. The campaign for widow remarriage, for instance, was spearheaded by visionary reformers such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Through his efforts, the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856 was enacted, transforming the lives of countless women who had been condemned to a life of social death.
The case of Sabarimala must therefore be seen in this broader historical context. The exclusion of women between 10 and 50 is based on the notion that menstruation renders them impure, or that their presence disturbs the celibate austerity of Lord Ayyappa. Yet such reasoning sits uneasily with the spiritual philosophy that underpins Hinduism itself.
Moreover, the argument that the presence of women would defile the vow of a deity seems philosophically tenuous. Can the spiritual power of a divine being be so fragile that it is threatened by the mere presence of women? Faith, if it is genuine, should inspire confidence rather than insecurity.
It is also important to remember that the Indian Constitution enshrines equality as a foundational principle. Articles guaranteeing equality before the law and prohibiting discrimination on grounds of sex are part of our fundamental rights. When religious practices conflict with these constitutional values, society must ask whether such practices deserve continued protection.
Yet law alone cannot resolve what is essentially a social and cultural question. For many devotees, Sabarimala is not merely a temple but a deeply cherished tradition. The annual pilgrimage, with its arduous trek and strict vows of austerity, fosters a powerful sense of spiritual community. To dismiss the anxieties of devotees as mere obscurantism would be both unfair and counterproductive.
Reform in India has rarely succeeded through confrontation alone. It has required dialogue, persuasion, and the gradual reshaping of social attitudes. The Sabarimala controversy should therefore be approached with sensitivity as well as firmness. Devotion deserves respect, but discrimination cannot be defended in its name.
India’s civilisational history offers a clear answer. Time and again, when confronted with the choice between rigid orthodoxy and humane reform, the nation has moved—sometimes slowly, sometimes reluctantly—towards greater justice. The Sabarimala debate is another chapter in that long journey. Faith need not fear equality. Indeed, when religion embraces the dignity of every human being, it acquires a deeper and more enduring sanctity.
(Pavan K Varma is an author, diplomat, and former member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). The views expressed are personal)
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: CBSE Class 11 Siri’s Big Upgrade Explained Independence Day 2025 3-Month CAT 2025 Preparation Plan YouTube Now Offers AI-Powered Search Feature For More Users But Not In India Looking For An Education Loan How The New Income Tax Bill 2025 Impact Your Finances Bank Of Maharashtra Is Hiring For 500 Generalist Officer Posts Sheikh Hasina's In Absentia Trial
Israel says it killed the commander of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Odeh, in a strike in Gaza on Tuesday - days after his predecessor died in a similar attack. At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured in Tuesday's major attack
2 hours ago
Air India currently operates about 4,400 flights each week, including approximately 3,600 domestic and 800 international services. Air India on Wednesday announced to “rationalise” operations on select domestic routes between June and August 2026. Amid the soaring fuel prices
2 hours ago
100 gharial hatchlings at Chambal sanctuary boost conservation efforts100 gharial hatchlings at Chambal sanctuary boost conservation efforts Published on: May 27, 2026 2:34 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Jaipur, Around 100 gharial hatchlings have emerged from four nests in the Palighat area of the
2 hours ago
Britannia Industries is set to raise prices on its Good Day biscuit family packs by Rs 10 across key variants, according to distributor sources. The Pista Badam 526g pack will be priced at Rs 140, the Butter family pack at Rs 120, and the Cashew family pack at Rs 130
2 hours ago
Why did Joe Biden sue DOJ? 5 things to know about his ‘private’ audio recordings set to be releasedJoe Biden sued the US Department of Justice, seeking to prevent the release of audio recordings and transcripts of private conversations with his biographer. Published on: May 27
2 hours ago
On the morning of December 17, 1967, Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt travelled to Cheviot Beach near Melbourne with a group of friends for what was supposed to be a relaxed day by the ocean. Within hours, the country’s leader had disappeared into the sea and would never be seen again
2 hours ago
Indian benchmark indices traded flat around noon on Tuesday as gains in metal, media and auto stocks offset weakness in financial and IT counters. At 12:35 pm, the Nifty 50 was trading 16 points up at 23,913.50, while the Sensex was up 35 points at 75,995.77
2 hours ago
As temperatures rise, staying hydrated becomes just as important as staying cool. The good news is that you don’t need complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen to enjoy refreshing summer beverages. From protein-rich sattu sharbat to cooling chaas and tangy jaljeera
2 hours ago
Recent reports of Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa have once again drawn global attention to this group of haemorrhagic fever viruses. However, there have been no reported cases in the Indian subcontinent so far. According to Dr Neha Mishra, Consultant – Infectious Diseases
2 hours ago
The Congress party has strongly criticized the government regarding the CBSE's On-Screen Marking system. They allege that the Education Minister ignored advice, leading to student distress. The party is demanding the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
2 hours ago
Cardiologist explains why ‘normal’ stress test does not mean arteries are clean, shares 5 symptoms to look out forA stress test does not give the total picture of the cardiac blood vessels. As such, the risk of heart attack remains, shares Dr Yaranov. Updated on: May 27
2 hours ago
The Cleveland Cavaliers crashed out of the NBA playoffs in humiliating fashion on Monday, getting swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals after a brutal 130-93 defeat in Game 4. And almost immediately, the familiar speculation returned: could LeBron James make one final return
2 hours ago
The Congress on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) paid rich tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary, with Rahul Gandhi saying that India's first Prime Minister's visionary leadership will continue to "guide us forever". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi
2 hours ago
Organisational intelligence, the new growth pivot for enterprises, is emerging as a key differentiator between growth and stagnation of organisations. The key to being on the greener side of this phenomenon is the ability to learn faster and knowing how to put that knowledge into execution
2 hours ago
Fans of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh are reacting with shock after a major film workers' union asked its members not to work with him over his alleged abrupt exit from the upcoming movie Don 3. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)
2 hours ago
Ahead of the first Qualifier here, Arun Dhumal, the IPL chairman, spoke to The Hindu about the way ahead for the league. Ideally, in a 10-team format, you should have nine home and nine away games. Logistical challenges and the commitment given to bilateral series are the reasons we haven’t made
2 hours ago
The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build a secure, high-speed satellite communications network to connect military sensors and weapons platforms across the globe, the service announced on Tuesday. The fixed-price nontraditional contracting agreement
2 hours ago
Nuno Espirito Santo will stay on as West Ham manager to lead their fight to get back to the Premier League at the first attempt. The Portuguese met with the club's senior management on Monday in the wake of their relegation from the top flight
2 hours ago
Exclusive| Renuka Shahane to direct husband Ashutosh Rana for the first time in a short film, shares detailsAfter celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, Renuka Shahane reveals to us that she is directing husband Ashutosh Rana for the first time in a short film Updated on: May 27
2 hours ago
Republicans in South Carolina have defied US President Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections by blocking a measure to redraw voting maps in their favour. They allowed the state's only Democrat in the US House of Representatives, Jim Clyburn, to keep his seat intact
2 hours ago
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh met spiritual leader Sadhguru recently amid controversy surrounding his Don 3 exit. Recently, the official Instagram handle of Sadhguru shared a glimpse of Singh’s interaction with the spiritual leader, in which the actor was asking about the purpose of life
2 hours ago
Who is Wade Wilson's biological father and where is he now? All on Steven Testasecca as Worst Ex Ever streams on NetflixSteven Testasecca, Wade Wilson's biological father, played a crucial role in his son's arrest for two murders in 2019. May 27, 2026
2 hours ago
An Israeli airstrike on a village in eastern Lebanon killed 12 people, state media said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026), as an Israeli official said the military had called up more troops to Lebanon. The strike hit the village of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley late Monday (May 25)
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.On Sunscreen Day, dermatologists debunk common myths and share key ingredients to watch forWhether you stay indoors or simply commuting to work
5 hours ago
Woman shares 'things she has been told as a big-chested girl in India': 'Could be sign of a disease'At 19, Piyali Roy was told being 'big-chested' could be a disease. She shares the unsolicited advice, policing, and harassment big-chested women face. Published on: May 27
5 hours ago
Firefighters battled a grass fire in Edinburgh and temperature records toppled as a spring heatwave scorched parts of Western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life. London recorded a rare “tropical night,” defined as one in which the temperature does not fall below 20
5 hours ago
Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry temporarily banned so-called prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi for operating in the country without a gambling licence, the official state gazette showed on Tuesday. In a statement, the ministry said its gambling watchdog had opened a probe
5 hours ago
