BJP mum on Sabarimala ordinance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP’s election manifesto, released on Monday, keeps mum on bringing in a central legislation to protect the religious customs and rituals at Sabarimala. However, the poll document says the party will take steps to bring to the notice of the Supreme Court the rituals of the temple and try to get Constitutional protection for them.


It has drawn a mixed response from those who were in the forefront of the agitation against the Supreme Court order allowing women’s entry to the hill shrine. The Nair Service Society (NSS), which has been demanding a legislation to overcome the verdict, is not happy with the assurance given in the BJP’s manifesto.

“When they had brutal majority, they did not do anything. Now, what is the point in claiming that they will interfere legally to protect the interests of the believers and the beliefs,” asked NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair.

They could have easily protected the interests of the believers if they were sincere. But they did nothing to protect the interests of lakhs of devotees then. So, there is no point in discussing about whatever assurance they are giving now, he added.

However, the

Pandalam

royal family is happy that its request to protect the traditional rituals and beliefs have been included in the manifesto. “We are happy that one of our main demands that the beliefs of Sabarimala temple have to be protected found mention in the manifesto. It is a welcome gesture,” said a representative of the royal family, Sasikumara Varma.

The Ayyappa Dharma Sena, led by Rahul Easwar, also has appreciated the BJP’s decision to include the Sabarimala issue in its manifesto. “We have been demanding for it and now, the BJP has taken a committed position by making it clear that it will move legally to protect the interests of devotees,” said Easwar.

The BJP, as a political party, cannot give a commitment on bringing in an ordinance, especially when the matter is before the Supreme Court, he said, adding, “the court is about to give a final verdict on the issue. Hence, I believe it cannot give a commitment on it now.”

Opposition leader

Ramesh Chennithala

said that once again the BJP has proved that it was not sincere about the Sabarimala agitation. “The BJP could have brought in an ordinance if they were sincere while in power. Now, it is assuring to interfere legally, which cannot be believed,” he said.