SC Sabarimala verdict: Focus shifts to Left govt in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of the pilgrimage season at the Lord Ayyappa shrine commencing on November 17, the focus has now shifted to the LDF government in Kerala over allowing women in the 10-50 age group to offer prayers as the Supreme Court has decided to keep pending the pleas seeking review of its verdict.

Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the verdict needs to be studied in detail.

"I request the opposition not to indulge in any political exploitation of the issue like last year," he told reporters.

When asked if young women will be allowed at the shrine, he said "This is not the time to comment about it."

The state had been rocked by violent protests, spearheaded by right wing outfits and BJP in 2018, when the LDF government decided to implement the September 28 verdict of last year allowing women of all age groups to pray at the temple, where the deity, Lord Ayyappa is a "Naishtika Brahmachari" (perennial celibate).

Head priest of the Sabarimala temple Kandararu Rajeevaru said the apex court decision to refer the verdict to a seven-judge bench "gives hope".

"This will strengthen the beliefs of devotees," he said.

The BJP and Congress wanted the government to exercise restraint and not to allow women in the 10-50 age group to go to the hill shrine, which would hurt devotees' sentiments.

Senior BJP leader and former state president of the party in Kerala, Kummanam Rajashekaran said the government must not allow entry of young women at the shrine.