Discontent simmers over temple verdict

Vijayan quashes speculation that temple board is mulling appeal

Protests have been brewing in Kerala following last week’s verdict by India’s Supreme Court, permitting entry for women at the Sabarimal Ayyapa temple in Pathanamthitta district in the state.

There have been dozens of rallies, mostly attended by women, across the state over the past few days protesting the court decision to overturn the custom of the temple.

In the latest development, devotees have taken to airing their discontent on the social media page of President Ramnath Kovind.

Several of the comments say that women themselves are not interested in breaking tradition and going to the temple, and that the court ought not to have tampered with the customs of the temple.

Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan quashed speculation about the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, going in appeal against the court verdict.

“When the Supreme Court gives its decision, that is the law and the state has to implement it” Vijayan said yesterday.