Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru (MS)

Mysuru, Oct 18: "Because the courts have begun to wear the spectacles of religions that are based on religious texts and give a verdict on Hindu religion, which is based on belief, faith, method and rituals, the issue has started," fumed Pratap Simha, member of parliament (MP).

Simha was speaking to the scribes in the city on the background of the protest at Nilakkal of Kerala, which was being held to condemn the supreme court verdict of allowing women to enter the ancient religious shrine of Sabarimala.

Continuing his opinion on the issue Pratap said, "People of book-based religions are praying to only one God. They believe only one religious text. Whether India or Mecca, they continue the same tradition. But Hindu religion is not like that. This religion does not have any prophet. The Hindu religion is based on faith and rituals that are practiced and handed over from generation to generation. The supreme court has failed to understand this fact and that is why it has given this kind of a verdict."

"Menstruation is considered as sacred in certain temples. Such a religion is the Hindu religion. During Navaratri, we worship Lakshmi for money, Saraswati for knowledge and Durga for power. In no other religion, God is seen as feminine. This shows that the Hindu religion does not show any discrimination towards females. Hindu religion has given the highest respect for women. The court has to understand this fact. The supreme court should reconsider its verdict. No one should try to attack our belief. Women between the age of 10 and 50 should not go to Sabarimala," Pratap added.

Pratap further said, "No one is doing any discrimination against women in our religion. Lord Aiyappa is a Brahmachari. Lord Aiyappa's temples are spread across India. So the women can go to these temples any time. There is no restriction in these temples. However, Sabarimala is the place where Aiyappa used to do penance. As he is a Brahmachari, there the women are not allowed. Only girls below the age of 10 and women above the age of 50 are allowed to enter the temple in Sabarimala. We see motherhood in women in our country. That is why there is an opportunity for them. However, there is no relation between menstruation and this issue."

Pratap Simha further appealed that this tradition is being followed since many centuries and no one should try to cause any harm to it. It might be recalled that state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa had opposed the supreme court decision of allowing women to enter the holy temple of Aiyappa at Sabarimala.