BJP, CPM in a fix over private member's bill on Sabarimala

New Delhi: A Private Member's Bill to undo the Supreme Court order on the entry of women in Sabarimala Temple put both ruling BJP and CPI (M) parties in a fix.

Kerala RSP MP NK Premachandran, an ally of Congress, is introducing a Private Members Bill in Lok Sabha on Friday to maintain a status quo before the Supreme Court order of September last year that had allowed women of all age group to enter Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.

In fact, it's also intrigued many members that Union Law Ministry which approved the bill when it was sent to it from Lok Sabha Secretariat. On the recommendation of Law Ministry, President Ram Nath Kovind allowed the Bill to be tabled.

In fact, on Sabarimala issue, Congress took a stand of not allowing women of the age group of 15-50 to the Lord Ayappa temple while ruling CPM-led LDF supported the Supreme Court order on the high moral ground. Even BJP could not take a proper stand on this issue.

Now, this bill has put them in a fix to take a stand as during the upcoming assembly poll in 2021 it may give same political dividends to the UDF-led by Congress party.

On record, BJP is running away from opposing the bill, but they are also trying to find out a way to stop this bill from being introduced. The BJP has given the responsibility to review the bill to three senior ministers.

Arguments submitted by parliamentarian NK Premachandran in support of the bill is that it's a matter of faith and when a majority of people believe in a tradition then why the government should not support.

While the BJP's argument is that let the top court take a decision and then the government would take a substantive stand. The bill would be moved in the Lower House of the Parliament on Friday.