Keralam govt Opposes Transgender Person's Entry into Sabarimala, Tells HC

The Keralam government opposed the entry of a Tamil Nadu-based transgender person into the Sabarimala temple, telling the Kerala High Court that permission for darshan cannot be granted without a clear medical or official certificate confirming the person's gender identity. 

In an affidavit filed before the High Court, the government said it would stand by the position taken by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The board had said it was not authorised to examine or determine the person's physical or biological characteristics to



establish whether the petitioner was transgender or female.

"In the absence of a proper, conclusive medical examination and official certification issued by a legally competent medical authority, the 2nd respondent (TDB) is not in a position to grant permission to the petitioner (Tamil Nadu native) to proceed for darshan," the Board had told the court.

It had also said that allowing the petitioner entry to the temple without authoritative verification could lead to a breach of established sanctuary customs governing the shrine.