Sabarimala Judgment | Indian Young Lawyers Association v State of Kerala (2018) | Part 20

When religious tradition and equality appear to conflict, how should a constitutional court approach the dispute? Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala case) (2018) explained in simple English - Articles 14, 25 and 26. Part 20 of 40 in Law Easy's Constitutional Case Laws series for LL.B., CLAT PG, UGC NET Law and judiciary preparation. THE FACTS The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala had a practice that prevented women of a particular age group, broadly between 10 and 50 years, from entering the temple. The exclusion was linked to ideas about menstruation and religious tradition. Petitioners argued it violated equality and women's right to practise religion; defenders said it was a protected religious practice. THE LEGAL QUESTION Is the exclusion a protected religious practice or unlawful discrimination under the Constitution? WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HELD A five-judge bench decided by 4:1 that the exclusion was unconstitutional. Justice Indu Malhotra dissented, giving greater weight to religious autonomy and cautioning against courts deciding matters of faith at the request of those outside the community. Later proceedings referred wider questions about religious freedom and essential religious practices to a larger nine-judge bench - this reference should not be confused with the original 4:1 decision. KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER Article 14: equality Article 25: freedom of conscience and religion, subject to constitutional limits Article 26: rights of religious denominations, within constitutional conditions FOR YOUR EXAM Remember the original decision, the dissent and the continuing legal debate over religious freedom and equality. Connect with Shirur Mutt (Part 38) for the essential religious practices test. CONTINUE THE SERIES Next, Part 21: S.R. Bommai v Union of India (1994) | Article 356 President's Rule Explained    • S.R. Bommai v Union of India (1994) | Arti...   Related, Part 38: Shirur Mutt Case (1954) | Articles 25 & 26 Essential Religious Practices    • Shirur Mutt Case (1954) | Articles 25 & 26...   Related, Part 18: Shayara Bano v Union of India (2017) | Triple Talaq Judgment Explained    • Shayara Bano v Union of India (2017) | Tri...   All 40 Constitutional Case Laws (playlist):    • 40 Important Constitutional Case Laws | Su...   Complete lecture, all 40 cases in one video:    • 40 Constitutional Case Laws in One Lecture...   (this case starts at 43:39) Notes and study material: https://www.thelaweasy.com Subscribe to Law Easy for more Constitutional Law, LL.B., CLAT PG, UGC NET Law and judiciary lectures:    / @laweasyin   Educational content only, not legal advice. Always read the original judgment and check the latest law before relying on a case in an answer or in practice. #ConstitutionalLaw #CLATPG #UGCNETLaw #LawEasy #FreedomOfReligion