TDB Chief: Only ‘women activists’ expected to visit the Sabarimala temple
The President of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), A Padmakumar said, “real women devotees” of Lord Ayyappa were unlikely to visit Sabarimala Temple. Instead, it will be flocked women activists only. This comment was given him in view of the recent Supreme Court verdict.
On 28th September, the Supreme Court lifted the ban on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years to the forest shrine to Sabarimala Temple. The court said that the centuries-old Hindu religious practice was illegal and unconstitutional.
After a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, Padmakumar said that the TBD will seek 100 acres of forest land from the Centre in order to provide more amenities for the devotees. This will be a part of implementing the Supreme Court’s order.
The Board manages the temple. They have decided to consider filing a review petition. They are citing the difficulties and challenges faced the board in implementing the order of the apex court in the present context.
Padmakumar expressed disappointment over the verdict. He said that the Supreme Court had taken into account only constitutional, fundamental and gender issues and not looked into the geographical aspects and specific circumstances.
The board is saying that there are long queues that sustain for more than 17 hours and women won’t be able to stand for so long. Well, it is true that generally and biologically, women do have a weaker constitution than men. That is why this clause of the argument is understandable. What is not understandable is that how 10-50-year-old women will get tired but the 60 and 70-year-old women can maintain their stamina?
From the words of the TBD, it is clear that they are making efforts to coerce the Supreme Court into reverting their decision. And not because of logical causes. They want to cling to age-old malpractices and not allow women to enter the Sabarimala temple.
