THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Poet, green and rights activist Sugathakumari has joined the chorus, especially Government voices, in opposing the Supreme Court suggestion to allow young women to worship Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala in the absence of any constitutional bar.
Ms Sugathakumari said here on Tuesday that everyone was obliged to follow norms. The breach of norms could not be condoned, no matter what stand was adopted by the highest court of the land. “There are enough places for women to worship Ayyappa outside Sabarimala. The abode was already overcrowded with worshippers. Such massing brings with it problems of pollution and additional burden on scarce facilities. There was also scope for abuses and women are well advised to keep themselves away from such circumstances,” asked Ms Sugatahkumari.
Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan said the board would implead itself in the case and oppose moves to dilute traditions and conventions being followed at the Sastha temple on Sabarimala. The Board was duty-bound to protect sentiments of millions of Ayyappa devotees, he said.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the Government would protect rituals and conventions and the affidavit would reflect genuine concerns and beliefs of devotees. “There is no blanket ban on women but by convention young women are barred at Sabarimala,” he said. Devaswom Minister V S Sivakumar said the Government would consult the Board before submitting the affidavit. “The Government cannot afford to hurt sentiments of devotees,” he said.
However, CPM politburo member Brinda Karat and T. N. Seema MP, said norms should change in accordance with the times. The taboo on menstruating women belonged to a different time, which should have been dumped by now and women of all ages allowed to worship at the place of their choice.
