Won’t Interfere in Sabarimala Rituals, Traditions: Oommen Chandy

Kerala CM Oommen Chandy said that his government will not get involved in faith-related matters.

Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy. (Photo: PTI)

Amid fierce debate on the issue of entry of women of reproductive age in Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday made it clear that his government would not interfere in the customs and traditions of the shrine.

The Chief Minister, who is in the midst of the assembly election campaign, said his government has already made its stand clear on the issue of Sabarimala where entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 is banned.

The government doesn’t interfere beyond a point on matters with regard to (religious) customs and faith.There are persons who have the right to deal with matters related to faith and customs... Let them take decisions on such issues. We don’t want to get into that controversy. This is a matter related to customs and faith. 

Oomen Chandy, Chief Minister of Kerala

Last week, two religious bodies moved the Supreme Court supporting a PIL seeking entry of women in the Sabarimala Temple, saying no ritual or customs can be used as grounds to discriminate against women in the matter of worship.

Earlier, the court had said gender equality was a “constitutional message” and ban on entry of women of a particular age group in Sabarimala shrine cannot be claimed as a right to manage religious affairs by its management.

On 11 January, the apex court had questioned the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age group at the Lord Ayyappa temple, while hearing the PIL.