Won't tolerate sexism in name of custom: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would not tolerate any gender discrimination in the name of religious custom and practices, as amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran submitted that restriction of a particular age group (women) to Sabarimala temple is a facile argument.

"The gender equality is a constitutional message and any ban on entry of women in the temple cannot be claimed as a right to manage religious affairs by its management," a three-judge bench presided over by Justice Dipak Misra said while hearing a challenge to the practice of banning entry of women between 10 to 50 years in Kerala's historic shrine.

The bench, also comprising Justices V Gopala Gowda and Kurian Joseph, reiterated that it would test the "so-called" customary practice under the provisions of the Constitution.