CPI(M) says women’s ban at Sabarimala feudalism, anti-women

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21 (PTI) Keeping alive the debateon entry of women of menstruating age into Sabarimala shrine,CPI(M), heading ruling LDF, has batted for entry of women ofall age groups into the temple, saying those having a "feudal"and "anti-women" mindset are endorsing the restriction. In a recent article published in the party mouthpiece’Deshabhimani’, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnansaid the restriction at the hill shrine was an echo of anoutdated class system which was keen to retain male dominancein the society and discriminate women from public space andplaces of worship. The statement assumes significance in the wake of repeatedcontention of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages theshrine, that any decision on the matter should be taken afterupholding the customs and tradition. Stating it was ‘unfair’ to bar a section of women underthe garb of their menstruating age at the shrine, the leadersaid biological peculiarities of women should not beconsidered as their drawback. "Women of the state are far ahead in terms of health,literacy and life expectancy compared to their malecounterparts," he said. "CPI(M) supports the entry of women of all age groups atSabarimala. We cannot minimize the restrictions of women as amere issue of rituals. Only those who wish to reestablish theerstwhile feudal system can see it as an issue of rituals andtraditions," Balakrishnan said. He also alleged that the TDB had an "anti-women" mindsetand said its president Prayar Gopalakrishnan was behaving asif "mountain would crumble if women enter the shrine and offerworship to Lord Ayyappa." He also flayed Congress-led UDF and BJP and RSS forallegedly endorsing the restriction and accused them ofraising "irrational ritualistic beliefs" to support theirstand. Taking a dig at the TDB president, the leader said "PrayarGopalakrishnan said of over four crore pilgrims, who visitedSabarimala during the last pilgrimage season, five lakh werewomen, belong to the age group of above 50 years." "That means, five lakh women offered worship to LordAyyappa in a single pilgrimage season itself. That had nottriggered an earthquake," he said. (MORE) PTI LGK JRK BNRCJTRK