Sabarimala protests bring BJP, Congress on same side in Kerala

They appear as sworn enemies in politics and also in the matters of religion but the Sabarimala protest has brought the BJP and the Congress on the same side of the debate. Both are protesting against Kerala government, which is finding it difficult to implement September 28 order of the Supreme Court allowing entry of women of all age in the Sabarimala temple.

While the BJP MP from Kerala V Muraleedharan on Tuesday said that the Supreme Court was misled into delivering the Sabarimala verdict lifting ban on entry of menstruating women in the shrine, the Congress-led UDF launched a massive agitation at Nilakkal and Pamba.

Speaking to India Today TV, Muraleedharan said that the Supreme Court judges erred in allowing women's entry in the Sabarimala temple. He said, "Learned judges erred in judgment. Only legal aspects were considered. The presiding deity here is different from deities in other temples. Hope the Supreme Court will consider tantric and religious aspects during review petition."

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The BJP is leading an agitation in Kerala against the women activists making unsuccessful attempts to enter the Sabarimala temple and the LDF government of Pinarayi Vijayan. BJP state General Secretary K Surendran was arrested for leading protest against Sabarimala verdict.

At the same time, the Congress has also upped its ante against the Pinarayi government in Kerala. The Congress-led UDF leaders staged protest at various places including Nilakkal and Pamba today violating prohibitory orders.

The protests have intensified in the wake of ongoing Mandala Makar Vilaku festival that marks opening of the temple for 41 days in November-December.

Read | Sabarimala temple open for all: Supreme Court

Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala led the protests today leading a march from Nilakkal to Pamba. When stopped by police, the Congress leaders sat on the road and started shouting slogans. They also sang bhajans (devotional songs) dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.

Speaking to India Today TV, Chandy said, "The situation in Pamba is pathetic. The government has done nothing here for the devotees. They had three months after the floods to prepare for annual festival at Sabarimala temple. Still they haven't done anything here. They should have provided basic amenities for the devotees."

The protesters are demanding that the Supreme Court's order about entry of women in the Sabarimala temple should be reviewed arguing that the presiding deity here is a separate religious denomination.

Read | Sabarimala protest not against entry of women, it is against communist govt: Kerala BJP chief

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