Supreme Court to Hear Women's Discrimination in All Religions: 9-Judge Bench Formed

• A nine-judge Constitution Bench will hear cases related to discrimination against women in religious places, starting April 7, 2026.
• The primary case involves women's entry into Kerala's Sabarimala temple, with hearings scheduled until April 22.
• Issues beyond Sabarimala include Muslim women's entry into mosques/dargahs, Parsi women's entry into Agiary, and female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community.
• The bench will address the scope of religious freedom (Article 25), rights of religious denominations (Article 26), and essential religious practices.
• This hearing, delayed by COVID-19, could deliver a historic judgment on women's rights, religious freedom, and gender discrimination.