A member of the Pandalam royal family, which holds a significant traditional role in the Sabarimala temple's affairs, has sharply criticized the Kerala government's position concerning the ongoing dispute over women's entry into the shrine. This comes as the Supreme Court is currently engaged in hearings that commenced on April 7, 2026, and are scheduled to conclude on April 22, 2026, addressing broader questions of religious freedom and women's rights.
The Pandalam family, along with other groups, is slated to present arguments opposing the entry of young women into Sabarimala between April 7 and April 9, 2026, a stance seemingly at odds with the Kerala government, which has requested to be listed among those opposing entry of young women, according to a report from April 7, 2026.
The royal family's critique centers on what they perceive as the state government's wavering or inappropriate stance in a matter deeply tied to the temple's age-old customs. The latest remarks from the family follow a pattern of dissent observed over recent months, particularly in light of the government's previous actions and statements regarding the temple's entry policies.
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Historical Context and Evolving Positions
The current judicial examination is part of a larger debate that has seen considerable back-and-forth. The Supreme Court is examining seven overarching questions pertinent to religious freedom and gender equality. Parties including the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Pandalam Royal Family have been allocated time to voice their arguments during the ongoing proceedings.
This situation is not entirely new. In September 2025, Sangh Parivar organizations, under the banner of the Sabarimala Karma Samithi (SKS), announced plans for their own 'Sabarimala protection sangamam' on September 22, casting it as a counter-event to a global gathering of Sabarimala devotees planned by the Kerala government for September 20. The SKS general convener, SJR Kumar, stated their aim was to safeguard the temple's traditions, criticizing the government's event as a potential "challenge to the Hindu faithful" and alleging it catered to the affluent.
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Further compounding the issue, a member of the Pandalam royal family, Suresh Varma, previously addressed remarks made against Vavar Swamy, a legendary companion of Lord Ayyappa. During a 'Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam' in Pandalam, a seer reportedly characterized Vavar as an "extremist." Varma countered this on September 27, 2025, asserting that Vavar Swamy "represents an ancient belief" and that traditions and legends surrounding him have long been integral to Sabarimala rituals and must continue "without dilution." He stressed that "customs associated with Sabarimala should remain forever regardless of the generation or the times."
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The Tantri, Kandararu Rajeevaru, has also formally communicated to the Supreme Court, citing a 'Devaprasnam' (a form of astrological divination) in his plea to uphold Sabarimala's customs, indicating a desire for the existing restrictions on women's entry to persist.
The Kerala government's stance has been a subject of scrutiny, with opposition parties urging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to publicly declare the government's position. While the CPI(M) stated they could not disclose what would be submitted to the court, they maintained the government would present its case when required. The government had previously filed a 17-page affidavit addressing constitutional questions, and its most recent inclination to oppose young women's entry signals a complex negotiation of its constitutional obligations and traditional sensitivities.
The historical precedent of the LDF government facilitating the entry of two women, Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga, into the shrine, framed as an affirmation of constitutional rights and gender equality, now appears contrasted by its more recent posture before the apex court.
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