Sabarimala: BJP demands ordinance, opposition is matter of faith: Ponnar

Chennai: The opposition to women in the 10 to 50 years age group entering the Sabarimala temple, is not against women but is a matter of faith, Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan said.

His party colleague and state president Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has demanded the Kerala government to consider bringing an ordinance to reinforce the ban on women of menstrual age from entering the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala.

The Minister made it clear that those taking up a pilgrimage for a darshan of Lord Ayyappa should strictly follow the guidelines.

While accusing the LDF government in Kerala of going against the sentiments of the Hindus Dr. Tamilisai suggested the government to bring an ordinance.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday she said the Constitution has provisions to protect people's faith and the state government should take the ordinance route to meet demands of the protesters.

“The Kerala government is only displaying its anti-Hindu sentiments by declining requests for an appeal or filing a review petition, against the Supreme Court order on women's entry,” she said.

After the supreme court lifted the ban on entry of women in the age group of 10-50 into the temple, a series of protests erupted and scores of devotees including women had sought for the restoration of status quo ante.

Court, govt should not interfere in religion: Minister State Tamil Culture Minister K. Pandiarajan expressed that religious affairs should be left to the spiritual leaders to guide the devotees and contended that the court or the government should not interfere in religious matters. “This is my personal view,” he said.