Private member’s Bill moved in Lok Sabha on Sabarimala

KOLLAM: Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran presented a private member’s Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday to prevent women of menstruating age from entering the Sabarimala hill shrine.

The Sabarimala Sreedh-arma Sastha Temple (special provision 2019) Bill seeks restoration of the religious custom practised at the temple as on the first day of September 2018.

The Supreme Court, on September 28, 2018, had passed the historic verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the shrine, which is against the custom followed by the temple.

The presentation of the Bill was supported by all Lok Sabha members, including the CPM and the CPI. Three Bills of the total nine bills presented in the House on Friday will be selected by lot and taken up for discussion.

BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi in her speech demanded a comprehensive law to protect the rights of devotees. There should be constitutional protection to preserve the religious customs by considering Ayyappa devotees to be a religious sect, she said.

She criticised the Bill saying it was imperfect and intended for media attention. Mr. Premach-andran said the BJP was trying to save its face.

Later, he told reporters that the Bill was approved by the Law Ministry, though the BJP was now saying it was incomplete. “They are confused and raise technical issues, including that the case is pending in the Supreme Court. The BJP that claims the monopoly of faith protection has done nothing creatively to use its power,” he alleged.

The RSP MP presented the Bill as per the UDF promise during the election campaign to raise its voice in Parliament to prevent the entry of young women in Sabarimala.