MP to move bill seeking to overturn SC order on Sabarimala

June 21, 2019 11:24

Kollam MP NK Premachandran is ready with a private member bill for the consideration of the Lok Sabha seeking a ban on the entry of women aged 10-40 years in the Sabarimala temple. Premachandran is likely to table this bill on Friday.

The Supreme Court, on September 28 last year, declared a Kerala government law barring women aged between 10 and 40 years from entering the Sabarimala temple unconstitutional. The Supreme Court judgment threw the Sabarimala temple open for women on all age groups.

The ban had been in place for decades in tune with the belief of the followers that entry of women aged 10-40 would disturb Lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity of the shrine. Lord Ayyappa is, the devotees believe, is Naishtika Brahmachari or perennial celibate and entry of women is not welcome in his shrine.

Following a long-drawn court battle and a sustained campaign by activists, the Supreme Court order was delivered last year. The Kerala government of the Left Democratic Front implemented the Supreme Court order to stiff resistance from the devotees, who called it an attack on their right to religious freedom.

On Wednesday, the CPI-M-led LDF government in Kerala demanded that the Centre should bring a legislation to protect the faith of Lord Ayyappa's devotees visiting the hill shrine in Sabarimala in accordance with the Supreme Court order. The state government's demand came in the backdrop of Premachandran's bill in the Lok Sabha.

Kerala had witnessed massive protests by various Hindu outfits and the BJP, which criticised the LDF government's "hasty decision" to implement the Supreme Court 28 verdict lifting the restriction on entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

CJI on new criminal laws: Issues pending before SC, so won't comment

Amid a heated debate over the three new criminal laws, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Tuesday refused to comment on them, saying the issues arising from these statutes were pending before the Supreme Court.

Women, children among 87 killed in stampede at UP satsang

According to Sikandra Rao sub divisional magistrate Ravendra Kumar, the stampede took place when devotees tried to get a glimpse of the Bhole Baba, who conducted the 'satsang', at the end of the event.

Wimbledon defending champion crashes out in Round 1!

Czech Vondrousova, who became the first unseeded woman to lift the title last year, earned a far less welcome accolade after a 6-4 6-2 defeat by Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Ronaldo announces farewell from Euro Championships

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese footballer, has confirmed that the ongoing European Championship will be his last

M&A deal value slows 9% to $38 billion in the first half of 2024