Supreme Court to hear plea on entry of women into mosques “because of the Sabarimala verdict”

The Supreme Court has stated that it will hear a plea on the entry of women into mosques. Responding to a petition filed by a couple from Maharashtra  – Yasmeej Peerzade and Zuber Ahmed Peerzade, the apex court has allowed the petition on the entry of women into mosques.

Stating that the court was allowing the petition “because of the Sabarimala verdict”, the Supreme Court has alongside issued a notice to the government, the Central Waqf Council and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

In September last year, the Supreme Court had delivered a landmark judgement lifting the ban on the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.

Referring to the same verdict, the Supreme Court agreed to examine the petition filed by the couple. Making a case of gender discrimination, the petition states that the practice of not allowing women inside mosques violates Articles 14,15, 21, 25 and 29 of the Indian Constitution.

The petition also notes that “the Quran does not differentiate between man and women”.

While pointing out that “the state shall not deny that right to equality”, the apex court also asked “if someone doesn’t want your entry into their house, can you call the police?” The petition will now be examined by the Supreme Court to decide its maintainability.