“Are You the Chief Priest?”: Supreme Court Critiques Sabarimala PIL Petitioners

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday delivered sharp remarks against the Indian Young Lawyers Association over its 2006 public interest litigation (PIL) challenging restrictions on women’s entry into the Sabarimala Temple, calling it an “abuse of process of law.”

Hearing a batch of petitions on alleged discrimination at religious places, a nine-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant questioned the association’s locus standi and intent . “Why have you filed this PIL? Are you the chief priest of the country?” the bench asked, underscoring concerns about organisational legitimacy in matters of faith .

The court also raised doubts over whether a juristic entity can claim religious belief , with Justice B V Nagarathna observing that faith is inherently individual. Judges further sought clarity on whether the association had formally authorised the filing of the petition.

Advising restraint, the bench suggested the body focus on professional welfare and support for young lawyers , particularly those from rural backgrounds, instead of pursuing such litigation.

The observations come in the backdrop of the landmark 2018 verdict in the Sabarimala Temple entry case, where a five-judge bench struck down the ban on women aged 10–50 entering the shrine as unconstitutional .

While the current proceedings examine broader questions on the scope of religious freedom , the court’s remarks signal stricter scrutiny of PIL misuse , raising key issues around standing, institutional accountability, and the balance between equality and religious practices, a stance that could shape future litigation in sensitive socio-religious matters.