Devotees body files plea in SC against Sabarimala verdict
HEATING UP Deliberate efforts to destroy unity of state, says Pinyari; BJP announces yarta
plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking review of the top court’s judgement which lifted the ban on entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The plea, filed by Shylaja Vijayan, president of the National Ayyappa Devotees Association, said the September 28 judgment which had allowed entry of women of all ages in the hill-top shrine is “absolutely untenable and irrational, if not perverse”.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised those agitating against his government’s move to implement the Supreme Court verdict, saying “deliberate” efforts were being made to destroy the state’s unity and secular fabric. Asserting that his government was committed to protecting the religious beliefs and customs of different religions and places of worship, he said there was no question of succumbing to “politically motivated” efforts to create tension in the state.
“The people of Kerala faced the recent unprecedented floods unitedly but deliberate efforts are now being made to destroy that unity, to destroy the secular fabric,” he told reporters.
Holding out an olive branch, Vijayan also made it clear that the government was prepared for talks with all concerned if they had any misunderstandings over the state’s stand on the issue.
Meanwhile, joining the issue for the first time, Travancore Royal family member Gowri Lakshmi Bayi said it was “very painful” to hear about the recent developments relating to the Sabarimala temple. “It is sad to note that centuries-old traditions are being violated,” she said in a statement.
A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, had in its 4:1 verdict, said that banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and that the practice violates rights of Hindu women.
Reaffirming the government’s stand not to seek a review of the SC verdict, Vijayan said the government in its earlier affidavit had made it clear that it would implement the court’s order. The government will go ahead with all the “democratic and progressive steps” needed for enriching and empowering women in society. He said his government’s policy was to ensure equality and justice to all.
Attacking the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the agitations against the Supreme Court order, he said the Congress will “destroy” itself by joining hands with communual elements, and accused the saffron party of having “double standards” on the issue.
The chief minister described as “ridiculous” the U- turn by Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, who welcomed the Supreme Court verdict before demanding that the government file a review petition against it.
NEWDELHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:A