Cong, BJP slam Kerala govt for extending 'support' to bring women activists to Sabarimala


Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 19 (PTI): The Opposition Congress and BJP on Friday hit out at the Left government in Kerala for allegedly extending support to bring women activists to Sabarimala temple, hurting the sentiments of devotees.

They also alleged the police gave one of the women, who climbed to the hill shrine amid heavy security, their official uniform and helmet.

The two women, identified as a journalist from Hyderabad and a Kochi-based activist, trekked Sabarimala and reached a few metres away from the holy 18 steps with police escort but had to return due to massive protest by devotees.

Attacking the CPM-led LDF government on the issue, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asked whether the police gave security to the real devotees.

"Has the government taken to the shrine the real devotees? Is the entry of women into the shrine a commando operation? Is this the Supreme Court order?" he asked.

"The government has extended support to bring activists to Sabarimala, hurting the sentiments of Lord Ayyappa devotees," Chennithala said.

Earlier in the day, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran admitted that one of the women who trekked to the shrine was an activist and made it clear that holy Sabarimala was not a place to show their strength and activism.

Referring to the massive protest at the temple complex by the devotees and the 'parikarmies', the assistants of the priests, Chennithala said the "illogical" steps taken by the government on the Sabarimala women entry issue had led to this situation.

He also reiterated the UDF stand that the Pinarayi Vijayan government showed "over-enthusiasm" and "hurry" to implement the apex court order permitting women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple.

The government unilaterally moved forward on the matter without trying for a consensus among stakeholders, he said.

Chennithala also alleged that the BJP-RSS combine was trying to inflame communal passion over the matter.

Hitting out at the LDF government, BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai said the state authorities were trying to make Sabarimala a "clash zone".

The police escorted two women to the shrine by making one of them wear police uniform and a helmet, without considering the sentiments of the devotees, he alleged.

A large number of devotees blocked the young women and police team escorting them at Valiya Nadappandhal, the queue complex located a few metres away from the holy 'pathinettam padi' (the 18 sacred steps), leading to the sanctum sanctorum.

Tension was defused after the women agreed to return as the state government made it clear it did not want to take them to the Sannidhanam, the temple complex, by using force against the protesting devotees.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Sat, Oct 20 2018

    There is bound to be revolt and objection when one mend and tinker the faith.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rathan, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 20 2018

    The SANNIDAN is for devotees and not for activists. How can a State provide police uniform and bullet proof vests for the activist?,who bears the cost of more than 200 police force for just 3 women? And on what basis this useless communist Govt took such steps. Further the place is not for picnic or sight seeing. SANNIDAN has its rituals before entering. And how Govt can escorts non Hindus and that too non devotees and persons who have not followed the rituals to enter the HOLY PLACE?
    Govt will pay a heavy price for this type of loose acts

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Eustace, Mumbai

    Fri, Oct 19 2018

    See women are protesting the Supreme Court order. Anyone will think that they will appreciate the equality granted to them. But here it is they openly admit the superiority of men over them. I simply wonder how Sati was so forcefully abolished and stopped by the British. Lord Bentinck, a cunning person used thinking Indian against conservative.
    Sati rites were performed with deep desire to enjoy heaven as Sati many widows died on the funeral pyre of their husbands willingly.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • jhanavi, Udupi

    Sat, Oct 20 2018

    This is not about superior or inferior.. its about belief... when we Hindus are united to follow this belief who are the third person taking decision.. who said it creates inferiority to women... is it hurting any Hindu women.. no... its just those few stupids who tried to enter the temple by force ... just for publicity ... nothing else...a muslin lady tried to enter the temple.. has she tried entering any madrasa where women are not allowed to enter.. no she will not.. because she knows that will lead to her death, because Muslim clerics and men will definitely kill her....its just because we tolerate she is creating a hype here and not because she has belief in god or she wants to show that women are equal.. there are many opportunities out there where she can bring awareness that women are equal to men... this is not the right place.. this will lead to communal unrest...

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • anthony, Mangalore

    Fri, Oct 19 2018

    Beware of the BJP/RSS of their Double Speak and their attempts across the country to stroke Communal Passions.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Fri, Oct 19 2018

    Injustice with women,they must be given equal rights. All the bhakts were happy when supreme court ban triple talaaq. World is developing day by day & we are stuck in mandir masjid.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Fri, Oct 19 2018

    All women who are denied entry into Sabrimala temple and who support entering the temple should file complain with SC and seek SC advice and protection.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Cong, BJP slam Kerala govt for extending 'support' to bring women activists to Sabarimala



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