NSS and SNDP Yogam Firmly Oppose Women's Entry at Sabarimala Temple
The Nair Service Society (NSS) and the SNDP Yogam have once again strongly reiterated their position that women of menstruating age should not be permitted entry into the sacred Sabarimala temple. This firm stance comes as the Supreme Court of India is currently considering various review petitions related to this highly contentious issue.
NSS Demands Government Action to Protect Traditions
NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair has emphatically demanded that the state government should actively oppose the entry of menstruating women into Sabarimala when presenting its case before the apex court. Nair specifically called upon the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board to revise their previous stance which had permitted young women into the Ayyappa temple.
Nair made it clear that the upcoming assembly elections should not be mixed with this sensitive religious matter. He stated that the NSS has remained unwavering in its commitment to protect faith and traditions, noting that the LDF government has proceeded without altering these traditions for the past six years. He also mentioned that the Union government has only recently intervened in this matter, and he expressed his expectation that the state government would take a definitive stand to protect these longstanding traditions.
"The state government has not provided any specific assurances regarding the Sabarimala issue," Nair stated, while expressing hope for a fair decision from the new bench. He emphasized that societal progress should not come at the expense of faith and mentioned that they had previously requested the government to drop cases against innocent people involved in the namajapa protest.
SNDP Yogam's Position on Women's Entry
SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan stated that it was not appropriate to allow an entry practice that did not exist at the temple earlier. He asserted that the government should make necessary corrections regarding the women's entry issue.
"SNDP did not approach the Supreme Court to become a party in the case," Natesan clarified. "Whether to file an affidavit or not should be decided by the government after thorough discussion." He revealed that SNDP Yogam had earlier expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court judgment allowing women's entry into the temple.
Natesan made a strong appeal, stating: "If entry is allowed, women of certain age groups in the state themselves would not go there. I believe they would not go and I appeal that they should not go." He added that those who supported the judgment earlier are now against it, and noted that the court has given the government an opportunity to express its opinion.
"Let the court make a decision," Natesan said, while adding that he would pray for a decision restricting the entry of women of certain age groups.
Government's Balanced Approach and Supreme Court Timeline
Law Minister P Rajeeve stated on Monday that the state government still has time to clarify its stand on the issue and emphasized that the matter cannot be reduced to a simple "yes or no" answer. He confirmed that the government would take a decision after examining all aspects of the matter thoroughly.
Rajeeve explained that the government's action at the time of the earlier controversy was in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict. When asked whether the government would support or seek a modification of women's entry into Sabarimala, Rajeeve did not give a direct reply but stated that faith and social reform must go together, which represents the government's stand in its affidavit before the court.
The law minister revealed that the state government, in its earlier affidavit, had suggested constituting a commission of scholars with deep knowledge of Hindu beliefs and a proven record in social reformation to study the women's entry issue. Although the apex court did not consider this suggestion, Rajeeve confirmed that the government stands by its proposal.
Supreme Court Proceedings and Historical Context
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed the state government and other parties to inform it of their position on the Sabarimala women's entry issue by March 14. Detailed hearings are scheduled to begin on April 7.
This direction was issued while the court was considering various petitions relating to women's entry into Sabarimala and broader questions concerning religious practices and women's rights. The petitions were heard by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
It is important to recall that in November 2018, the Supreme Court permitted the entry of women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, a decision that triggered widespread protests across Kerala. The current review petitions and ongoing discussions represent the latest chapter in this long-standing debate that touches upon religious traditions, gender equality, and constitutional rights.
