Marias and Fatimas lead the race to enter the Sabarimala Temple

The Supreme Court’s verdict on Sabarimala Temple coupled with Kerala government’s arrogance and laxity has opened a new can of worms. A holy, serene and peaceful place has turned into a war zone because of callousness of the state government towards Bhagwan Ayyappa’s devotees.

On the very first day of opening of Sabarimala Temple, while Kerala Hindus remained determined in their protest against the SC verdict which goes against their benign beliefs, women devotees of Bhagwan Ayyappa with all tenaciousness not only chose to follow the tradition but are also ensuring that everybody else also do the same. A verdict which has been considered as pro-women is being vehemently opposed by the women of the state. Women devotees of Bhagwan Ayyappa fought bravely against some ‘activists’ masquerading as devotees who with absolute hatred for Hindu Dharma and total ignorance of the tradition tried to enter into the temple. These ‘activists’ included an atheist, a Christian, a Muslim and Communist, who have no devotion for Bhagwan Ayyappa and neither have any reverence for the thousand years old tradition established with the temple.

Amid the ongoing protest against the SC verdict allowing entry of women of all ages into Savarimala Temple, feminist activist Rehana Fathima, reporter Kavitha Jakkal and Woman devotee Mary Sweety tried to enter the Sabarimala temple. Kerala police was also helping them to enter the temple.

Now the question is why does Christian and Muslim ladies want to enter a Hindu temple. Is this a tourist spot? More than worshiping, these women were more interested in provoking the Hindus. Their act shows that they have no respect for the Hindu religion and tradition. Charity begins at home, if these women are so much interested in ensuring equal rights to women then they should start the process by challenging the orthodox practice of their religion. They should raise voice against mosque where women are not allowed to offer prayer with male and in most of the mosques women are not even allowed to enter and offer prayers. Rehana should raise voice against victims of triple talaq, nikah-halala and discriminatory practice which prohibits women to become Maulvi. Instead of worrying about right to pray for Hindu women, Mary Sweety should go and support those nuns who are fighting a lone battle against rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal. She should also raise questions over the orthodox and anti-women practices of her religion where women cannot be bishops and Pope.

This whole drama carried out by the so-called ‘women rights activists’ has nothing to do with the entry of women in Sabarimala Temple, it was only about defaming Hindu traditions and rituals. They are activists of social disharmony. Their only goal is to gain cheap publicity by creating controversies. Activist Rehana Fatima is not new to controversies. In the past she had hit the headlines when she posted a picture of herself with watermelons covering her breasts. In 2014, she also participated in the Kiss of Love campaign in Kerala. Her partner shared a clip of the kiss on Facebook. She was part of many other controversies.

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The Union Government had warned the state government about possibility of threat to law and order situation. The MHA had sent advisory to Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on October 15. It reads,” As per the information received, comprehensive security arrangements would be required at the Sabarimala Shrine on the date of its opening for monthly rituals on 17.10.2018, in the backdrop of the State Government’s decision to implement the recent order of Hon’ble Supreme Court to allow women of all ages to visit the shrine and wide-spread protests against the same from various quarters.” It further adds, “Certain civil/women’s rights activists, Left parties/fronts and pro-LWE groups have been campaigning in favour of women’s entry into the shrine and actively using women to do so on 17.10.2018. While opposing groups/activists have threatened that they would not allow entry of women inside the shrine on that day.”

The MHA in its advisory had also said that some Hindu outfits might organize protests on October 17. It said, “Hindu outfits plan to organize protest programmes on 17.10.2018 against Hon’ble Court’s order at Nilackal village in Pathanamthitta district and Erumeli village in Kottayam districts. Separately, Ayyappa devotees, Hindu outfits and certain caste-based outfits have been organizing state-wide protest against the Hon’ble court’s order. Participation in these protests has ranged from 50-3,000, including participation of sizeable number of women. Hindu outfits have also organised a few protest programme in neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.”

It seems Kerala government paid no heed to the advisory and instead provoked Hindu devotees by helping so-called women rights activists to enter the Temple. It failed to maintain the law and order in the state.

It must be ensured that the SC verdict is not a carte blanche to desecrate the holy abode neither it is a place for activism of dubious objectives.