Kerala government reverses stand, favours entry of women in Sabarimala temple

The Left Democratic Front led Kerala Government on Monday told Supreme Court that it favoured the entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala temple. 

This stance was however heavily opposed by the Travancore Devaswon Board, which criticized the government and claimed that it couldn’t change its stand as per its own convenience.

The LDF government had filed an affidavit favouring women’s entry in the temple on November 2007. However, the successive United Democratic Front (UDF) government led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy supported restriction of women devotees’ entry in the temple.

As the LDF government returned to power led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, it filed an additional affidavit supporting the stand of the then UDF government.

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On Monday however, the state government completely reversed its stand and claimed that it will support women’s entry in Sabarimala temple.

The Travancore Devaswon Board appealed to a three judge bench led by Justice Dipak Misra to refer the case to a Constitution Bench. Latest position of the state was also opposed by the deity’s mythical foster-father, the Raja of Panthala.

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He emphasized that the people had huge faith on the legend and customs associated with the temple.

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The case has been scheduled for hearing by the Bench on February 20, 2017.