The tradition followed at Sabarimala has no gender bias

This is with reference to the report, Sabarimala; Deliberate efforts to destroy Kerala’s unity, alleges CM, which appeared in Khaleej Times on October 9. The allegation by Kerala’s Chief Minister Vijayan is only partly true. Every political party tries to gain mileage using the existing ‘hot’ situation at hand. I have said that the statement is only partly true because it was up to the state government to take care of the situation and respect the tradition and faith followed, instead of hastily implementing the court order. The Supreme Court of India in all fairness passed a judgement that was in line with the constitution of India. Where judgments are issued with reference to law books, faith and emotions and tradition have no relevance. This judgment has appeased only a few, the sentiments of the majority have been hurt. Vijayan’s contention that court orders are to be implemented with immediate effect has no validity as in earlier instances the implementations have been delayed or bypassed by issuing ordinances.

Many are protesting the court order, and these protestors are not people hired by political parties. Instead, they are your average middle class families who have come together irrespective of their own political affiliations or leanings. Amongst them are women of all ages. It is to be understood that the protest has a reason. Every temple in Kerala is unique, be it the location, construction, the main governing deity and placement of the idols, poojas, chanting of hymns, mantras and the associated rituals. Even the opening and the closing timings differ. In this respect, Sabarimala is unique and has its own rituals and practices. Unlike other temples, it does not remain open throughout the year. It opens for a specific number of days each month and the during the season — “Mandalam” — it opens mostly during the third week of November and shuts by the last week of December to again re-open in January. Amongst the various conditions to enter the temple is the condition that a woman devotee should be less than 10 years of age or over 55 years. This practice is unique to Sabarimala. And women who fall in the above age bracket are free to enter any other Ayappa temple in Kerala. In no way can the tradition followed at Sabarimala be considered as a gender bias or derogatory towards women. The writer is a Khaleej Times reader based in Dubai