RSS: Don’t support hartal call in Kerala

The RSS and other organisations have disowned the statewide hartal (strike) called in Kerala by a littleknown outfit, Ayyappa Sena, on Monday to protest the move to allow women of reproductive age to enter the Sabarimala temple.

The Sena has threatened to stop women at the base camp in Pamba if the age-old customs are diluted. The state government, which supports women’s entry to the temple, said it would take strict action against those who try to disrupt normal life.

“We don’t support any such move. We feel the temple issue should not be taken to the streets. We feel the Supreme Court will take into account the temple rituals and customs and hear all people, including the tantri (supreme priest), before taking a final decision,” said RSS leader P Gopalankutty Master.

Gopalankutty said he was forced to issue a clarification after some people misinterpreted that the Ayyappa Sena was a member of the Sangh Parivar. Many other organisations like the Nair Service Society and SNDP (an organisation of Ezhavas) also distanced from the call.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Mishra is hearing the case and expected to deliver the verdict soon. In Sabarimala, women of reproductive age (10 to 50 age) are allowed only till Pamba, the base river camp before a 5-km arduous trek to the hill shrine begins. Women cops are deployed in Pamba to screen devotees and ask women to furnish proof of age. The Supreme Court has been hearing a PIL challenging the temple practice saying it was discriminatory.

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