The Union government has communicated to the Supreme Court of India that a strict definition of 'religious denomination' and 'essential religious practices' could undermine the pluralistic nature of Hinduism. This statement comes ahead of the Supreme Court's hearing of several writ and review petitions related to the Sabarimala temple case, scheduled for April 7, 2026. The Centre's position, articulated by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, counters the Supreme Court's September 2018 ruling, which stated that devotees of the Sabarimala temple, located in Kerala, do not form a distinct religious denomination known as 'Ayyappans'. The 2018 judgment also deemed the prohibition of women aged 10 to 50 from entering the temple as not an essential religious practice. The Centre argues that the diversity within Hinduism, characterized by various sects and traditions, must be acknowledged, and that rigid definitions could lead to doctrinal flaws and confusion regarding essential beliefs and practices. The Supreme Court's upcoming hearings will not only revisit the Sabarimala case but also explore the extent of constitutional courts' involvement in core matters of faith.