Ever since the Supreme Court gave its verdict on the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala on September 28 overthrowing the age-old tradition of banning the entry of women in the menstrual age group of 10 to 50 years, under the man-made belief that the deity housed therein was eternally celibate and did not favour the sight of such women, there has been unending unrest in the region with the so-called devotees of the deity disallowing the women of the forbidden age group from entering the shrine arguing that it violates their creed, and some women standing their ground and claiming that it is their equal right to offer prayers to their god.
Every attempt made by the daring women has been foiled by the rowdies totally disrespecting the law that has permitted the entry of women irrespective of the age group. Disgustingly, our leaders belonging to both the BJP and the Congress, supposed to be the nation’s premier parties, instead of accepting the top court’s verdict and pacifying the crowd and appealing to them to abide by the ruling, instead of creating ruckus along the path to the shrine, have themselves led the mob in attacking and intimidating the women devotees.
The striking argument of the protesters is that their religious sentiments imbibed in traditions and beliefs should not be tampered with. This is most unfortunate and unacceptable in the light of the changing world that vouches against any form of discrimination particularly based on gender. If we accept their ill-conceived notion then other religions too having their own decrees can justify their point. For instance the Muslim community can argue that as per their creed triple talaq and bigamy, which are considered abominable even by their own women, are acceptable as per their dogmas. Likewise Christians can validate their point that conversion is their mission as inscribed in their scriptures under the ‘one fold and one shepherd’ slogan. Are we to accept all such religion-centric views which have only spelt doom in the society?
People defending the traditions of Sabarimala should realise that unjustified customs and traditions should change. The Kerala government too has failed in its duty to safeguard the women devotees in their mission. If needed the government should avail the services of the military when the temple reopens on December 30 to ensure that the rule of law overrides hooliganism.
