The Sabarimala verdict created a wrong impact that ‘Women should not enter Sabarimala’, no , it is not the fact.
The fact is that Women aged between 10 to 50 years cannot enter sabarimala and it is not gender equality and it is about our Hindu religious traditions.
Advocate Sai Deepak says clearly about the issue here
What the Supreme Court said about Sabarimala issue;
For centuries, women were not allowed to enter the Sabarimala shrine based on the biological ground of menstruation. The Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorization of Entry Rules, 1965 (Rules 1965) which states that “Women at such time during which they are not by custom and usage allowed to enter a place of worship” was the basis of the practice of excluding women of the age group of 10 through to 50 years to enter the temple. These Rules were framed under Section 4 of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorization of Entry) Act, 1965 (1965 Act). In 1993, a division Bench of the Kerala High Court (KHC) had upheld the entry ban saying it is usage prevalent from time immemorial. The KHC had further held that only the chief priest was empowered to decide on traditions.
A five-judge Constitutional bench (Hon’ble SC) ruled 4:1 in favour of allowing women of all ages to enter the temple. It found the practice discriminatory in nature and that it violates Hindu women’s right to pray and practice religion. It also ruled that devotees of Lord Ayyappa do not constitute a separate religious denomination as they do not have common religious tenets peculiar to themselves other than those which are common to the Hindu religion.
The Hon’ble SC struck down Rule 3(b) of the Rules 1965, which authorized the restriction as ultra vires of both Section 3 and Section 4 of the 1965 Act. Section 3 is a non-obstante provision which clearly stipulates that every place of public worship shall be open to all classes and sections of Hindus, women being one of them, irrespective of any custom or usage to the contrary. Further, Proviso to Section 4(1) creates an exception to the effect that the regulations/rules made under Section 4(1) shall not discriminate, in any manner whatsoever, against any Hindu on the ground that he/she belongs to a particular section or class. The Hon’ble SC held that the language of both these provisions indicate that custom and usage must make space to the rights of all sections and classes of Hindus to offer prayers at places of public worship. Any interpretation to the contrary would annihilate the purpose of the 1965 Act and the fundamental right of such women as they are entitled to practice religion under Section 25(1) of the Constitution of India.
The SC (Chadrachud J) further held that ‘a claim for the exclusion of women from religious worship, even if it be founded in religious text, is subordinate to the constitutional values of liberty, dignity and equality. Exclusionary practices are contrary to constitutional morality.’
The only woman in the Constitution Bench, Justice Indu Malhotra, wrote a dissenting judgment. She said the notions of rationality cannot be brought into matters of religion. She added that the shrine and deity are protected under Article 25 of the Constitution and that it was not up to the court to decide which religious practices should be struck down, except in issues of social evil like Sati. She also held that devotees of Lord Ayyappa do not constitute a separate religious denomination.
Isha Foundation Sadguru says about the Sabarimala issue;
Why these so called women Social Activist are too eager to enter Sabarimala?
We all should agree one point that on these generation many thinks that publicity seeking activities may gain fame and then its easy to become a celebrity, but Funny things can be done for the same and playing with our religious customs will create a negative impact.
The first female who want to enter sabarimala are Kavitha, a journalist and Rehana Fathima Pyarijaan Sulaiman is an Indian Telecom Technician at BSNL and Women Rights Activist from Kochi, Kerala – both were failed on their motive to enter 18 steps of Swami sannithaanam since the devotees of sabarimala are very aggressive with full of bakthi and respect to Hinduism.
I am surprised that why Rehana fathima was so eager to enter Sabarimala? Is she thrown out from her own religion?
If she really wants to follow Hinduism, I appreciate and welcome her conversion as a hindu and wait to see our Yoga Brahmachari Sri Sabarimala vaasa Swami ayyappan till she reaches 50’
The recent news says that nearly 11 women tried to enter Pathinettu Padi and no doubt they were once again tasted the failure.
Being a woman from a proud Religion of India “Hindu”, I request all Women who think to enter Sabarimala to study the history of Swami Ayyappan and our rituals, then you will probably know that our religion is something very auspicious and its our duty to follow it, not to damage it.
We are not here to argue who were behind these minority women groups since our Majority of Hindu groups were uncomparable and we only suggest that being a Hindu, learn what is Hinduism, teach our rituals to the next generation, respect our culture.
Swathi for Indsamachar
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