Thiruvananthapuram: Difference of opinion emerges between state and central leaders of the Congress with respect to the historical judgment of the Sabarimala temple case. The central leaders are supporting the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all age groups into the Sabarimala shrine, but the state leaders are planning on launching a hunger strike against the verdict. 

The Congress in Delhi on Wednesday denied that there was any contradiction in the party's stand at the national and the state level regarding the Supreme Court order allowing the entry of women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

The party said there could not be any discrimination on the ground of gender as per India's Constitution. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the verdict was final and binding.

"Men and women are equal and there can be no two opinions on the issue. The judgment of the Supreme Court is final and binding on everyone," he said.

Thousands of Keralites belonging to several Hindu organisations staged massive protests in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Palakkad districts on Tuesday. They raised their voice against the Supreme Court order.

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala in Kerala is also set to take part in the ‘upavasa’ or hunger strike organised by the Pathanamthitta District Congress Committee on October 5. People also allege that Congress is planning to file a review petition on the Supreme court verdict. 

Kerala Congress leader K Sudhakaran said that a lady who is menstruating is considered impure. This is a belief, which came before the Indian Constitution was made. Such ideas and beliefs cannot be changed, he said, criticising the Supreme Court order in Kannur on Tuesday. If the government does not take a matured decision, then protesters in Kerala will ensure another Jallikattu-like situation, which happened in Tamil Nadu.

 As spoken to Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed from Delhi denied the existence of differing opinions in the party.

"The central leaders won't understand the sentiments of a Malayalee towards Sabarimala temple and the traditional rituals. That's why they are standing with the Supreme Court verdict," said Congress activist Kalathil Balan, a native of Kannur. 

"It's an awful decision of the Supreme Court. It's told that a person should stay clean for 41 days before visiting the temple. A normal woman cannot do this," said Subit, a Sabarimala devotee. 

Politics and people's beliefs seem to cloud the judgment of the Supreme Court regarding the Sabarimala temple. All eyes are on whether a review petition will be filed to reverse this verdict.