The gold theft controversy has exacerbated the pain felt by devotees, to the extent that many feel that Sabarimala will be a deciding factor in the assembly elections.
The core of the controversy involves the alleged theft of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) and the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols of the Sabarimala temple.
K Parmeshwar, amicus curiae in the matter, submitted that even when the primary responsibility for social welfare and reform lies with the Legislature, it does not mean the court is not empowered.
Earlier, a five-judge Constitution bench had lifted the ban preventing women between the ages of 10 and 50 from entering the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
