Kerala High Court Permits Minor Girl To Accompany Her Father To Sabarimala Temple

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday passed an interim order permitting a 9-yr-old girl to accompany her father to the Sabarimala temple for darshan.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Shaji P Chaly and Justice A Badharudeen clarified that children can accompany vaccinated people in all activities they undertake.

The development came in a writ petition filed by a minor seeking direction to the State, State Police Chief and the Travancore Devaswom Board, to ensure that the petitioner is able to make Sabarimala Darshan along with her father on the day on which the petitioner's father has secured booking for Darshan.

In her plea, it was mentioned that she will become 10 years old on 22nd September 2021 and therefore will be prevented from making a Sabarimala darshan for the next 4 decades in accordance with the customs, rights and beliefs in the Hindu religion.

Advocate Nirmal V Nair appearing for the petitioner invited the Court's attention to a Government Order dated 4th August 2021 whereby it was specified that children who have not been vaccinated can accompany adults vaccinated with at least one dose of Covid vaccine, or who possesses an RT-PCR negative certificate. 

It was further argued that the Order places no embargo for minor children from entering places of worship.

The petitioner also relied on a decision of another Division Bench of the Court rendered in April 2021 whereby under similar circumstances, a girl child was permitted to accompany her father for Sabarimala Darshan.

Senior Government Pleader K.P Harish Kumar representing the State and Standing Counsel G Biju appearing for the Devaswom Board opposed the reliefs sought by the petitioner. 

However, the Bench referred to the decision and the Government Order placed on record and came to the conclusion that upon analysis of the said materials, it was suitable to pass an interim order permitting the petitioner to accompany her father for Sabarimala Darshan on 23.08.2021. 

The respondents were thereby directed to make necessary arrangements for compliance with the order. 

The matter has been posted for further consideration immediately after Court vacation. 

Case Title: X v. State of Kerala & Ors.

Click Here To Download Order