Kerala’s Sabarimala row resurfaces ahead of SC hearing
Kerala’s Sabarimala row resurfaces ahead of SC hearing
Kerala politics heats up as opposition demands a clear government stand on women's entry to Sabarimala ahead of a high-stakes Supreme Court review.
Kerala politics is heating up again over the Sabarimala women’s entry issue as the Supreme Court prepares to hear review petitions challenging the 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the temple. The apex court is set to consider the petitions on a date likely to be February 16, with the hearing shaping up as a crucial moment for both legal arguments and electoral politics in the poll-bound state.
From Kochi, the Opposition Congress has urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to declare the government’s stance before the court. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan pressed for a clear answer on whether the government would stand by the affidavit it had already filed in the Supreme Court or withdraw it. He argued that voters deserve a definite position, warning that an ambiguous approach could hurt the government in the polls. The Left government replied that it cannot reveal its court submissions in advance, signaling that the actual stance will become clear only through the filings before the apex court.
The political arena has seen the LDF and UDF draw battle lines on the issue, with both sides trying to convert a deeply emotive religious debate into electoral capital. The Hindu notes that the court’s upcoming hearing could either bring resolution or push the matter into further review, including potential steps toward a larger seven-judge bench if petitions proceed. The stakes are high because the 2018 verdict remains a flashpoint for debates on gender equality and temple access in Kerala.
Beyond the courtroom, the controversy sits atop a backdrop of Kerala’s cultural landscape. A recent January 2026 Thiruvabharanam procession—marking the transfer of sacred golden ornaments from the Pandalam Palace in Pathanamthitta to the Sabarimala temple—underscores how closely faith and politics intertwine in the state. As polls approach, parties are keenly aware that how they frame the issue could sway diverse voter blocs, from devotees to social conservatives. The coming court order and the government’s formal position will likely shape Kerala’s election narrative in the weeks ahead.
