A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India is set to begin hearings on April 7 concerning petitions that challenge discrimination against women in religious practices, particularly at the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala. This follows a significant ruling in September 2018, where a five-judge Constitution bench lifted the ban on women aged 10 to 50 entering the temple, declaring the centuries-old practice illegal and unconstitutional by a 4:1 majority. The matter was referred to a larger bench in 2019 by another five-judge bench led by then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The Union government has expressed concerns that defining what constitutes a 'religious denomination' could undermine the diverse nature of Hinduism, which encompasses various sects, practices, and beliefs. This case not only impacts women’s rights but also raises questions about the interpretation of religious freedom in India.