Sabarimala case review, IMD predicts weak monsoon, and Stalin's warning

This episode of 'Three Things' examines three major developments in Indian public life. First, it revisits the Supreme Court's ongoing review of the 2018 landmark judgment that allowed women of reproductive age to enter the Sabarimala temple, exploring the constitutional tension between religious freedom and gender equality. The discussion delves into the legal debate over whether non-believers can challenge religious practices and whether courts should interpret religion through the lens of constitutional morality versus public morality. Second, the episode highlights the India Meteorological Department's alarming forecast of below-normal monsoon rainfall—92% of the long-period average—attributed to the developing El Niño phenomenon, with serious implications for agriculture, water resources, and the economy. Despite growing resilience through better forecasting and infrastructure, the forecast remains a cause for concern. Third, the show covers Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's strong opposition to the central government's proposed delimitation exercise, warning that population-based seat redistribution could undermine southern states' political representation, especially given their success in family planning. Stalin has mobilized a coalition of southern states and linked the issue to the stalled women's reservation bill, framing it as a matter of federal equity and democratic fairness. The episode underscores deepening tensions between center and states, constitutional interpretation, and the intersection of climate, religion, and politics in India.