New Delhi, April 7 -- The Centre on Tuesday vehemently contended before the Supreme Court that the issue of restriction on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years at the Sabarimala temple falls within the domain of religious faith as well as denominational autonomy and is beyond the scope of judicial review.

A nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant commenced hearing on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places in various religions and the proceedings assumed significance as they started ahead of crucial assembly polls in Kerala, where the Sabarimala temple is located.

Referring to the right of religious freedom under Article 25 of the Constitution, Solicitor General Tushar Me...