The Indian government has presented its case in the Supreme Court regarding the restriction on women of menstruating age from entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta asserted that the practice is deeply rooted in the religious beliefs surrounding Lord Ayyappa, who is viewed as an eternal celibate. The Centre contended that allowing women entry could disrupt the temple's worship practices and infringe upon the rights of devotees who adhere to these traditions. The government emphasized that such restrictions are not discriminatory but rather a reflection of faith and essential religious practices. Furthermore, the Centre criticized the concept of 'constitutional morality,' arguing that it is vague and not explicitly defined in the Constitution, warning against judicial overreach into religious matters. The Supreme Court had previously lifted the ban on women's entry in September 2018 but has since referred the matter, along with similar issues affecting other religious practices, to a larger bench for further examination. The court is set to continue hearings on this matter, which raises significant questions about the balance between religious freedom and gender equality in India.