India: Two women enter temple defying centuries-old ban

By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India

Protests erupted in parts of India’s southern state of Kerala on Wednesday after two women defied a centuries-old ban on entering a temple, local media reported.

The women -- identified as Bindu Ammini and Kanaka Durga, who are said to be in their mid-40s -- entered Sabarimala temple and prayed on Wednesday morning, according to NDTV, a local broadcaster.

In September 2018, the Indian Supreme Court had ordered to lift the ban on women or girls of menstruating age from entering the temple. But, the temple and devotees refused to implement the ruling, saying Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity, was celibate.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that two women entered the temple. “We had issued standing orders to police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple,” he said.

“The women started the uphill trek to the temple around midnight on Tuesday, reached a little before 4 a.m. and left after praying to Lord Ayyappa. There was no media glare and a very few devotees were around at the time, which probably facilitated the sneak visit,” the NDTV report said.

The temple was shut down for an hour and a half for “purification” once the reports about the women’s visit to the temple confirmed, local broadcasters reported.

The temple draws millions of worshippers a year.

According to media reports, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized a protest demonstration in Thiruvananthapuram -- the capital city of the state, while opposition Congress party has also launched protests in the state.

Asked about the Sabarimala issue, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an interview with ANI, said: “Every Temple has their own beliefs. There are temples where men are not allowed. We should read minutely what the Respected Lady Judge said on the Sabarimala case.”

On Tuesday, thousands of women had formed a chain in Kerala "in support of gender equality."

Later this month, the Indian Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear the petitions seeking review of its verdict in the case.