Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader, B Janardhan Poojary on Monday demanded that following the recent entry of three women below 50 into the Sabarimala temple in the face of strong opposition, Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan must allow more of them into it.
An unconventional politician, Mr Poojary is famous not only for his "loan melas," but also for distributing kumkum, bangles, flowers and sarees to about 5,000 widows and appointing two Dalit widows as archaks of a temple.
His stance in support of women on the Sabarimala issue has therefore not surprised many. "Aren't women children of God? We believe in the principless of 'Matr Devotees Bhava.' Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has admitted that three women have already entered the temple. Now he must allow other women to do so as well. As Chief Minister it is his duty to do so," he insisted, speaking to reporters here.
Observing that the issue had taken on political colour, he said that was all the more reason for the Chief Minister to show courage and take strict action against those opposing the entry of women into the temple.
"Lord Ayyappa is not against it. It is politicians with a political motive, who are opposing women's entry into Sabarimala," he deplored.
Asked about his own partymen taking strong objection to women below 50 entering the temple in defiance of its age-old tradition, Mr Poojary said anyone who was against this was wrong. "Opposing women's entry into the Sabarimala temple is like betraying them," he argued.
