Ayyappa Devotee Association files first review petition against Sabarimala verdict

After the Kerala state government refused to file a review petition in the Supreme Court over allowing entry of women of all ages in the Sabarimala Temple, the National Ayyappa Devotee Association filed a review petition in the SC challenging the earlier verdict of the apex court.

The apex court on September 28 struck down the centuries old tradition that barred the entry of women between 10 to 50 years of age bracket inside the temple.

The plea claims that the judgment of the apex court has shocked millions of Ayyappa devotees.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called for a meeting today. However, the chief priest of Sabarimala Temple unheeded his call even as devotees of Lord Ayyappa organized protests in Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai. On Sunday, Sabarimala priest Kantararu Mohanaru maintained that they want the state government to take final stand with respect to filing of a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict. The priest further added that their future actions would depend on the final stand of Kerala government. Priest Mohanaru further said, “To deploy female police personnel in the temple premises is a violation of the temple practices.” 

After the apex court of India allowed the entry of women of all ages into the Kerala’s famous Sabarimala Temple, the protests are pervasive all over the state.  Lord Ayyappa devotees were demanding the state government to file review petition against the SC’s decision. However, the state Chief Minister- Pinarayi Vijayan- clarified that state government will not file any review petition. The voices within the party who hinted at filing a review petition earned the displeasure of the Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. Travancore Devaswom Board chief and CPM leader A. PadmaKumar is one of them.

He also said that his government will make arrangements to ensure safety of devotees and women police personnel from Kerala will be stationed at the shrine to maintain law and order.

Vijayan said, “Devotees have been divided since the beginning. The Supreme Court considered all divergent views before announcing the final verdict. Our government accepts the decision. No woman who wants to go to Sabarimala can be stopped.” He further added, “We have to make all required arrangements. As only men were allowed to enter the complex till now, the infrastructure needs to be upgraded and additions will be done to make it women-friendly.”

Vijayan also said that his government will make all the arrangements for women devotees, from installing CCTV cameras to streetlights and constructing toilets inside the temple complex.

However, it is the women who are leading the protest against SC’s verdict. Lakhs of Hindu Women from Kerala are peacefully protesting on the streets as well as on social media against the Supreme Court’s verdict on Sabarimala. Thousands of women from Kerala also took to Twitter and other social media platforms with placards saying #ReadytoWait signalling their protest against the attack on the ages old custom by the SC judgment.

For more details: Testament to Hindu unity: Women lead the protest against Sabarimala verdict

For more details: Pinarayi Vijayan’s folly: Hindu unity on Sabarimala verdict shows the days of Communists are numbered

At a time when a protest is breaking all the caste barriers and Hindus of Kerala are showing unprecedented unity, Pinarayi Vijayan’s communism might prove disastrous for his party and also for the future of communism in Kerala. Elected Chief Minister of Kerala should have filed a review petition in the case. It seems the government doesn’t care about the feelings of the very same people who elected them. In future the people will definitely teach a lesson to the arrogant and callous communists of Kerala.