The state government's rushing to take non-Hindu women into Sabarimala is against Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of entry) Act, 1965.
Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leader TG Mohandas has approached the high court demanding that non- Hindus should be banned in the Sabarimala temple as the Supreme Court judgment only allowed Hindu women to enter Sabarimala.
The court adjourned the hearing on the petition filed by Mohandas to October 29 after asking the state government to respond to it.
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Certain provisions in The Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of entry) Act, 1965, prohibits entry of non-Hindus into temples, petitioner said the Supreme Court had invalidated only the provision that prevented entry of women on menstrual period into the temple. However, the clauses of the rules were still in force, which can ban non-Hindus, drunk or disorderly persons. They were not permitted entry into a Hindu temple under the Devaswom Board.
Mohandas alleged that the state government had not attempted to convince the stakeholders and the devotees before implementing the verdict of the Supreme Court. As beliefs and customs prevailed for centuries among the Hindu religion, that has to be taken care of more carefully. The government has to be patient and prudent rather than rushing to take women to Sabarimala, especially those who are not even Hindus or devotees.
In the petition, Mohandas also sought an investigation against the police on permitting non-Hindu women and non-idol worshippers, in violation of these rules, which hurt Hindu devotees' sentiments.
Above all, the petitioner also expressed his concern over young Hindu women, who intend to visit Sabarimala. So, Mohandas pleaded to restrain further entry of women until the appropriate infrastructure for them is made in the shrine.
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