November 13, 2022 07:42 pm | Updated on Nov 14, 2022 03:41 AM IST – Alappuzha (Kerala)
File image of Sabarimala temple. , photo credit: Leju Kamal
Senior CPI(M) leader G. Previous Pinarayi Vijayan government On the entry of women into the hill templesaid on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Sudhakaran said the minimum age for entry of women into the temple has still not been changed from “60 years” and it is believed that since Lord Ayyappa is an eternal celibate, any age below that age Women should not be allowed to enter. be allowed.
“It is something we all accept and respect. This is the way things are going. There is no need to change or change it,” said Mr. Sudhakaran, who was also a minister in the previous Vijayan government.
His remarks came days ahead of the two-month-long annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage to Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta district. is scheduled Will start from 17th November.
In 2018, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, by a majority of 4:1, allowed girls and women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, holding that discrimination on the basis of physical appearance was a violation of fundamental rights. The right to equality is enshrined in the constitution.
The following year, when the state government tried to implement the apex court’s order, it met with massive protests and various organizations also petitioned the top court for a review of the 2018 verdict.
Subsequently, in November 2019, a five-judge constitution bench of the apex court, by a 3:2 majority verdict, disposed of petitions seeking review of its landmark 2018 judgment along with other contentious issues of alleged discrimination to a seven-judge bench. was sent to Against Muslim and Parsi women
The Sabarimala temple had restricted the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 as part of its age-old tradition.