ISAS Insights

In India, the two practices of menstrual taboo and gender-selective access to places of worship come together, as women are prevented from accessing certain shrines by virtue of the menstruating nature of their body. Recently the Supreme Court of India ordered the lifting of a legal ban, which prevented women of menstruating age from entering a famous Hindu temple. The Court’s judgement endorsed feminist activists’ claim that the ban is discriminatory against women, hence anti-constitutional. On the other hand, religious and political institutions and devotees (including women) maintain that the ban is a canonized religious custom, which must be observed out of respect for the religious sentiment of Hindus. The judgement divided public opinion and fuelled a wave of protests, often backed by opposition parties; it is also likely to have important consequences for the future of management of religious affairs in India.