India, April 8 -- Backing the restriction on the entry of women of menstruating age into Kerala's Sabarimala temple, the Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the issue falls squarely within the domain of religious faith and denominational autonomy, and lies beyond the scope of judicial review.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant that if there is something unscientific, the remedy is with the legislature.

"We have to respect every denomination's practice; not everything is related to dignity or bodily freedom. If I go to a mazar or a gurudwara and if I have to cover my head, I can't say my dignity, right or choice is taken away," Mehta ...