Sabarimala – Still a 'NO' for women's entry!

The Supreme Court of India banned the rule of 'NO-ENTRY of women in Sabarimala Temple' which didn't allow the women from 10-50 age groups to enter into Sabarimala Temple situated in Kerala. The 4-1 verdict by the constitution bench headed by Dipak Mishra stated that the rule was against the

fundamental right of equality and right to worship. Justice Indu Malhotra added that " We have no hesitation in saying that such an exclusionary practice violets the right of women to visit and enter a temple to freely practice Hindu religion and to exhibit her devotion towards Lord Ayyappa." The court stated, "The denial of this right to women significantly denudes them of their right to worship." 

But after the clear statement of court, there are no changes in the custom of untouchability by the protesters of Sabarimala Temple. On 20th October two women were taken to pay worship to Lord Ayyappa but were forcibly stopped at Nadapanthal which is 18 steps away from Sannidhanam. The women were taken with the police escort to enter the temple as per the orders of court but after an awful drama of two hours by protesters and priests of the temple, both the ladies returned back to Pamba.

The devotees and priests of Sabarimala temple came to pay worship to god on the occasion of Vijaydashmi but the prayer was suddenly stopped when the women's tried to ingress into the temple.

The chief tantric of the temple Kantararu Rajeevarau said that he is and will withstand the entry of women in the temple and if any day the women ingress into our temple then he will close the temple and leave the place forever by handling away from the keys to the manager.

When the incident took place, Kadakampilly Surendran the minister of Devaswom said, "During such a tenuous condition, it was important for the police to check that the women were activist or devote because it is a place of faith. Vexation and conflict should be avoided. Sabarimala is never a place for

that."

Kavitha Jakkal and Rehana Fatima the two under 50 age women tried to enter the temple and stopped only 100 meters away because the head priest threatened to close the temple. Kavitha Jakkal a journalist of MOJO TV OF Hyderabad and Rehana Fatima a women activist along with tree troops of

police went was proud of creating a history of being the first and second women to do this. Jakkal said, "Today, we had faced a very awful situation. We walked 5 kilometers for Sabarimala temple and we were stopped before 100 meters away only. Though we can go there if we want, as the police promised us for giving full protection from the protesters."

Both the women were wearing bullet proof jacket and helmet and were protected by 300 police and were then returned to Pamba when the protesters said to shut the temple. They said that none of the protester is in support of court's decision and that they won't allow any women to enter the pure

temple as it is the tradition of the temple and place. Even after the full protection of police and government one of the woman's home was destroyed by the protesters after they tried violating the 'Pratha' of the temple.