Shiv Sena Calls For Strike In Kerala To Protest Sabarimala Verdict

The Kerala unit of Shiv Sena has called for a statewide dawn to dusk hartal (strike) on October 1, to protest against the recent Supreme Court judgement on Sabarimala temple in which SC lifted the ban on women between the ages 10 and 50 entering the temple. Emergency services have been excluded.

“Rituals practised in the temple existed before the constitution ”

On Saturday, party’s state secretary, MS Bhuvanachandra, in a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram said that the Siva Sena will file a review petition against the verdict in association with other religious institutions.

He also claimed the only reason RSS welcomed the verdict was because it had a political agenda of its own, as reported by The News Minute.

It further said that Shiv Sena along with other religious institutions would be filing a review petition against this verdict. He alleged that the apex court overlooked the age-old traditions and rituals of the temple.

“The rituals practised in the temple have existed since before the Constitution. They should be preserved. The verdict is based on logical thinking without understanding the rituals. The verdict is such that the people will lose trust and respect towards the top court,” said Bhuvendran.

The state party secretary also said that the Constitution should not tell the public as to how to worship in a temple. He also mentioned this verdict was ridiculing women and their faith. Pandalam Royal family to file a review petition against the apex court verdict.

Pandalam Royal family to also file a review petition

The Pandalam royal family which has an integral role in the Sabarimala temple has also initiated the legal consultation to file a review petition, expressing their disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Just by a verdict, the century-old traditions of Sabarimala has been changed and that’s very sad. Every religious place has its own traditions and culture that is practised for its own reasons,” said the palace spokesperson as reported by News 18.

The historic decision of lifting the ban on the entrance of women in the Sabarimala temple is not only opposed by the Shiv Sena party, but also by the temple priests and those associated with it by tradition.

Expressing disappointment, temple Tantrik (chief priest) K Rajeevaru said, “While I will respect the court’s directive, I wish tradition and culture are allowed to continue.

The temple is not equipped to manage the entry of women.

K Rajeevaru, expressed his concern about the facilities available in the temple to manage the entrance of women when it opens for the two months long season during November.

As of now, what I can say is at present there are no facilities that are there and now the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) will have to do the needful,” he said.

Also Read: SC Allows Entry Of Women Of All Ages To Sabarimala Temple, Says Exclusionary Practices Violate Right To Worship