New Delhi: Denial of entry to women aged between 10 and 50 at the Sabarimala temple is based on traditions. It has no sanction from Sastras or the Constitution.
Two heads of religious institutions, Hind Navotthana Pratishtan, through its President Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha of Vyasa Tapova Narayanashrama Tapovanam, Trissur and Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha of Venginissery, P.O. Paralam in Thrissur stated this in an intervention application filed in the Supreme Court in the Sabarimala case. They said that legend or tradition has a much inferior place than what dharma shastras have.
The applicants said they are only seeking to place relevant material drawn from Vedic literature on the equality of women, thus entitling them to enter temples like their male counterparts, without any discrimination.
They said the defence of the practice of barring women devotees at the Sabarimala Temple on grounds of widespread beliefs and customs cannot permitted. Just as customs can be good, noble and great, they can also be destructive as has happened in the case of women, their religious status and equality. No customs or practices, including those under religion or devotion, can claim any credence or exemption on any ground. The Constitution is supreme. Our Temples come under the Constitution and laws enacted under it. Being so, it cannot discriminate against women in the matter of worship.
They pointed out that the makers of the Sabarimala Temple had a clear vision. The patinettampati (the frontal 18 steps climb) is in front of the idol of Ayyappa. People, with the traditional vratam and irumuti (the two bundle head load) alone climb these to meet the Lord.
Those without the vrata and irumuti-kettu are free to climb the side steps any time. Women also have in the past climbed. Hence truly speaking, women may go to Sabarimala Temple, using the side steps, without any hindrance. The case comes up for further hearing on Friday.
