CPI(M) makes U-turn on Sabarimala entry

THE UDF GOVERNMENT HAD FAVOURED A STATUS QUO AND OPPOSED ENTRY OF WOMEN IN

THE 10-50 AGE GROUP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the state government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court favouring a ban on women in Sabarimala temple, the ruling CPI(M) on Tuesday retracted saying it would submit a fresh affidavit seeking entry of women of all ages.

“We want women of all ages to be allowed in Sabarimala. The government will file a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court in this regard,” party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. However, he did not elaborate on why the government changed its position overnight.

“If there is a difficulty in allowing women of all ages, the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages temple affairs, should bring it to the court’s notice. The CPI(M) is of the view that women should be allowed in all temples,” he said.

The party’s U-turn follows protests by women activists. The UDF government had favored a status quo on temple tradition and opposed entry of women in 10-50 age group. Since the temple deity is a ‘nitya brahmachari’ (eternal celibate) there is a ban on women of procreative age.

In 2007, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government had submitted an affidavit in the court saying ban on entry of women was equivalent to denying justice to them.