Members Of Several Women’s Outfits ‘Vow’ To Enter Sabarimala Only After 50; Disagree With Apex Court Judgement

The Supreme Court on Friday lifted the ban on entry of women of a certain age bracket into the shrine of Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra, the SC said that the ban was leading to gender discrimination and violated the practice rights of women, reported The Indian Express.

Several women of Hindu outfits on Saturday (29 September) offered prayers in Tamil Nadu saying that they would only visit the shrine after they crossed the age of 50. This vow was taken by cadres of the Bharat Hindu Munnani at Gangadeeswara Temple.

PTI quoted Hindu Makkal Katchi head Arjun Sampath as saying,“These are prayer meetings to reaffirm our faith in our customs. In such meetings, women visit temples only in accordance with our beliefs.”

He added that the women took a pledge to worship at the shrine only when they reach the age set accordingly as per customs and beliefs. The process of waiting is known as ‘Kathiruppom’.

As part of the campaign, signatures were collected and these will be given to the Travancore Devaswom Board, which is the administering body of the shrine.