Bengaluru: The fact that women were given back-door entry into Sabarimala proves that CPI(M) government specialises in deceitful practices, said TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Manipal Global Education, in Bengaluru. Dressed in a blue kurta, Pai has never visited Sabarimala, but says that he stands vehemently for the deeply-entrenched beliefs of every Ayyappa devotee. "The emotion is just too strong. My driver is an ardent devotee of Lord Ayyappa. He has gone there more than ten times after the controversy surfaced with the Supreme Court verdict," he said.

Activists like Brinda Karat weren't seen when the nuns were protesting against the Bishop. But when it comes to Hindu beliefs and tradition, they raise their voice, said Pai, with a tone laced with sarcasm. "Many Christians and Muslims were there as part of the initiative called the Women's Wall. Why can't they speak for issues concerning their religion?" questioned Pai, seeking the resignation of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and terming him a bigot.

Also watch Video Interview here: CPM is indulging in deceitful practices, piercing an arrow into the hearts of devotees: Mohandas Pai on Sabarimala

Mohandas Pai said that the Supreme Court took into consideration the right to equality while delivering the verdict on September 28, completely neglecting the right to religion. If this can be applied in the Sabarimala issue, "I would like to see this in Christianity where women can become priests, and in Islam where women can enter mosques," said Pai. Beliefs can't be uniform, there is difference between uniformity and equality, explained Pai.

While CPI(M) thrives on communal agenda, Congress is adept at dividing the society on the basis of religion. "They celebrated Tipu Jayanti here in Karnataka. Congress as a party can do this for they are communal too. But not the government," said Pai. But, this will reflect in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, he added. "Hindus are angry. I am upset. Devotees are disturbed. The CPI(M) has pierced an arrow right into their hearts. Modi has consolidated the Hindus together. They need to raise their voice," he said.

The Supreme Court will hear the review petition starting January 22. It was a matter of time when there could have been a peaceful solution. The Kerala government ruined it by provoking the Hindus and using the court verdict as an excuse, Pai said. As he was getting set to attend another meeting, he said he'd wish for Modi to visit the shrine dressed in black and send a message to stand with the devotees of Ayyappa.