As SC refuses to stay its verdict allowing entry of
10-50 age group women to the temple, a conflict
cannot be ruled out November 17
Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi: Social activist Trupti Desai Wednesday said she would visit the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala along with six other women in the previously banned 10-50 age group November 17 but it was opposed by a right wing activist, sparking fears of a fresh confrontation.
Desai, who spearheaded the campaign to allow entry of women to various religious places, including Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, announced the decision even as the Supreme Court once again refused to stay its verdict which allowed entry of women of all age groups to the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.
Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, meanwhile, called for a “holistic approach” on the Sabarimala issue so that the people’s sentiments were not hurt, observing the Centre would intervene in the matter at the “right time” if required.
Asked by reporters if an ordinance was required to deal with the situation, Sharma said the Kerala government had to decide on the matter.
“The state government has to take a call on the ordinance and the Centre, if required, will intervene at the right time,” he said.
The two-month-long Mandala Makaravillakku pilgrimage season in Sabarimala commences November 17 and attracts millions of devotees from all over the country.
With no stay being given, it remains to be seen whether girls and women in the menstruating 10-50 age group will be able to enter the shrine after a 6-km arduous trek since attempts by some were foiled by protesters at the base camps in Nilakkal and Pamba when the shrine was opened for 8 days in two spells after the September 28 verdict.
Desai, in an email to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, sought security as she apprehends an attack on her life during her visit to the shrine.
“We will not return to Maharashtra without darshan at the Sabarimala temple”, she said adding “we have faith in the government that it will provide security for us.”
It is the responsibility of the state government and the police to provide protection and take us to the temple as the Supreme Court has permitted all women to offer prayers at the shrine, she added.
The Chief Minister’s office said they had received the e-mail and it has been sent to the officials concerned.
Trupti has also sent a mail to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure security for her trip to the hill shrine.
Rahul Easwar, President of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena, which is among the organisations protesting the entry of women of all ages into the shrine, said Ayyappa devotees would resist through ‘Gandhian means’, any attempt by Desai and her group to trek the holy shrine and offer prayers.
“We will lie down on the floor. We will protest and at all costs prevent them from offering prayers at the shrine,” he said in Thiruvananthapuram.
