Malappuram: The Muslim League has come in support of Ayyappa devotees who are against the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

The apex court, in its landmark judgment on September 28, put an end to centuries-old tradition of banning women of menstruating age from entering Kerala's most famous temple.

Muslim League state general secretary KPA Majeed rejected CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s comments and said that Kodiyeri, a non-believer, need not interfere in the matters of the believers. 

“Kodiyeri has raked up mosque issue to hide his anxiety in Sabarimala issue. People can go to any extent to protect their beliefs. The government or court need not interfere in matters related to beliefs,” Majeed said.

Balakrishnan recently commented that discrimination should not be shown to women in religious centres including the Sunni mosques.

CPM state secretary Balakrishnan said that the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala women’s entry would not be implemented through a war. CPM’s stand is to decide on holding meetings with all the parties concerned, Balakrishnan told reporters.

“The party has no ambiguity or confusion in the issue. The leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala is trapped in the hands of flag bearers of Hindutva. Several Congress leaders in Kerala have not taken a liberal and secular stand on the issue. We will not allow a clash over this issue. We will oppose the attempts to turn devotees against the government by using them. The government is trying to implement the verdict,” he told the media.