Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 16: The issue of women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple has resurfaced as a key election issue in poll-bound Kerala, with opposition parties pressing the Left government for clarity. The Supreme Court on Monday reopened the matter, announcing a nine-judge bench to hear petitions addressing discrimination against women in religious places, including Sabarimala.
Under pressure from Hindu caste organisations, as well as the Congress and BJP, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government said the matter involved complex constitutional questions and that it would take an appropriate stand after thorough discussions.
State Law Minister P. Rajeev clarified that the government could not reduce the issue to a simple “yes or no” response and that the Supreme Court would first address seven constitutional questions before reviewing the matter. He reiterated that the government seeks to protect the faith of devotees while balancing social reform, and pointed to an earlier proposal to form a commission of scholars to study the issue, which the apex court had not accepted.
Opposition leaders demanded that the government file a revised affidavit to the Supreme Court. Congress leader V.D. Satheesan accused the government of adopting a “confused approach” and lacking a firm position while simultaneously seeking votes from Ayyappa devotees.
He said updating the affidavit would take just minutes and alleged that promises made to organisations during the Global Ayyappa Sangamam misrepresented the government’s stance. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar warned that the government could make a U-turn on the issue due to elections, reaffirming that his party’s position remains unchanged.
Meanwhile, Kerala’s two major Hindu caste organisations, the Nair Service Society (NSS) and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, reiterated opposition to allowing women of menstruating age into the temple.
NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair expected the government to alter its position, while SNDP’s Vellappally Natesan argued that entry practices not historically observed at Sabarimala should not be introduced. Both groups recalled the protests that followed the earlier Supreme Court verdict and stressed that the court should decide after considering the government’s opinion.
The revival of the Sabarimala issue demonstrates its continued sensitivity in Kerala politics, as religious sentiment, legal review, and electoral strategy intersect in the state ahead of upcoming polls. (PTI)
