Sabarimala row: Kerala govt proposes women-only days

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government told the high court on Friday that it could identify days on which only women devotees will be allowed to visit the Sabarimala temple, a suggestion that was earlier rejected by the opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Let the court decide. We have made our stance very clear,” said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whose government has said it is committed to implementing the Supreme Court’s September 28 order allowing women of the menstruating age to worship at the temple.

The court was hearing a plea of four women seeking security on the pilgrimage. The four women, in their 20s and 30s, suggested devoting two to three days exclusively to women of all ages “who are desirous to go to Sabarimala

Sabarimala and its base camps have witnessed protests by traditionalists who have stopped the entry of at least 18 women.

Protesters say women between 10 and 50 years cannot enter the temple because the presiding deity is celibate.

In another plea on restrictions at the temple, Kerala said police acted only against ‘criminals’ who fanned trouble.

Hundreds of police personnel have been deployed in Sabarimala following protests by Ayyappa devotees opposing the September 28 order of the Supreme Court.

The temple was opened on November 16 for the over-twomonth-long pilgrimage season, amid tension.