At least 98 per cent of the women of menstruating age are unlikely to enter the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in Kerala despite the Supreme Court ruling that they be allowed to do so says, retired Kerala High Court Judge Kemal Pasha.

Malayalam daily Madhyamam quoted Pasha as saying that women should use their discretion on the issue. A century-old practice which found great respect among woman devotees cannot be sabotaged by a Supreme Court ruling, he said.

Entry of menstruating women in Sabarimala was not a matter to be judged by the Supreme Court, the Justice said. He also said that,“It is not clear whether the view of the temple was adequately represented in the court.”

There are other burning issues in the society which need immediate attention. There are people in India plaguing with poverty, unemployment, lack of education and despite all these, issues like the entry of women in Sabarimala are finding a place in Supreme Court’s priority. Are these issues of real concern to the society, asked the former High Court Judge.

Dissenting Supreme Court Judge Indu Malhotra had also observed that the court should not have entertained the petition and kept off the temple affairs.

Over one lakh Swami Ayyappa devotees (most of them women) had took out a protest at Pandalam in Kerala against the Supreme Court ruling allowing menstruating women into the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.

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