The Kerala government has informed the High Court that it supports the Travancore Devaswom Board's position on the entry of a transgender woman from Tamil Nadu to the Sabarimala temple, in an affidavit submitted before the court.

Source: Chennai Vision (Nov 12)

In its affidavit, the state government said permission for darshan could not be granted without appropriate medical or official documentation establishing the petitioner's gender identity. The government stated that it does not intend to adopt a different position from the Board at this stage, and noted that the broader issue remains connected to proceedings pending before the Supreme Court.

Source: Chennai Vision (Nov 12)

The case concerns Sathyashri Sharmila Rehemathali, who has approached the High Court seeking permission for transgender persons to undertake the Sabarimala pilgrimage after completing the prescribed religious rituals. The petitioner identifies as a transgender woman and has stated that she is a devoted follower of Lord Ayyappa.

Source: Chennai Vision (Nov 12)

The Travancore Devaswom Board has maintained that it does not possess the authority or expertise to determine a person's biological or physical characteristics for the purpose of establishing gender identity, and told the court it could not permit entry without a conclusive medical examination and certification from a legally authorised medical institution.

Source: Chennai Vision (Nov 12)

Kerala's Sabarimala updates service also reported on November 12 that the state government had informed the High Court of its opposition to allowing the transgender pilgrim's entry on the Board's terms. The petition was earlier filed after the petitioner alleged she was stopped during a police inspection near the Pamba Ganapathi Temple and told she would not be permitted to proceed uphill because she was a transgender person; the High Court had sought the State government's response to the plea in August.

Source: Bar and Bench (Aug 24 background)

The High Court will consider the petitioner's request in the context of the legal and administrative positions presented by the parties.