As the latest episode of the Sabarimala controversy rages on, the woman in the middle of it all has given a strong statement, dismissing the allegations piled on her by right-wing outfits.
On Saturday, massive controversy kicked off after pictures of CJ Anila, the Chief Engineer of the National Health Mission, were circulated on social media platforms. Right-wing groups claimed that the woman in the picture, taken at the Sabarimala shrine, was less than 50 years old – and was thereby breaking the rules of entry at the temple as women in the age group of 10 to 50 years are not allowed inside the Sabarimala temple.
CJ Anila has now sent a complaint letter to the CM, saying that the allegations against her are false, and part of an undesired conspiracy.
She was accused of intentionally violating the traditional norm of the temple that bans entry for women in the age group of 10 to 50 years. In the letter addressed to the CM of the state, Anila also clarifies that she is in fact 51 years old and can very well produce legit documents and papers to substantiate her claims.
Anila also said that she will resort to legal help and support to fight the false charges slapped on her.
Anila was dragged into controversy after she visited the temple with Health Minister KK Shylaja. The health minister had visited the shrine for the inauguration of the new hospital building constructed in the temple.
The minister was accompanied by a bunch of officials from the National Health Mission, including CJ Anila, who was one among the many who were at the forefront to construct the hospital at the temple.
Hindu right-wing outfits had earlier sparked the controversy by claiming that a woman below 50 years of age entered the Sabarimala temple along with Health Minister KK Shylaja on Saturday 18 November.
The accusations came after pictures and videos of the woman clad in a yellow sari with the health minister inside the temple started doing rounds in the social media. In one of the pictures, she can be seen applying vermilion on her forehead. Temple staff are also spotted in the picture.
The Hindu outfits had also held the Travancore Devaswom Board responsible for "breaking the present system followed at the holy shrine". The Hindu Aikya Vedi has said that the incident is a "violation" of the existing practice of banning entry for women in the age group of 10 to 50 years to Sabarimala.
It’s a clear violation of the existing law. It’s true that the government favours entry of women of all age groups but a court ruling on the matter is yet to come. The government should abide by the existing law though the individual political parties will have different stands.Bhargavaram, Secretary of the Hindu Aikya Vedi, to Deccan Chronicle
Meanwhile Travancore Devaswom Board authorities have said that they will be looking into the accusation.
Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar said to Deccan Chronicle, "She is a health department official who accompanied the health minister. We'll conduct a detailed probe into the charges and give a clarification in two days.”
Speaking to TNM, Hindu Aikya Vedi chief KP Sasikala said that it was on Health Minister Shylaja and the woman in question to clarify the circumstances under which the latter entered the temple.
There is an existing law at the temple. Whether or not that will be subjected to change is a different thing altogether. But considering that there is a restriction on entry of women of menstruating age, the Devaswom board officials are supposed to make sure that the rules are followed. The onus is on the minister now, she has to explain what happened.KP Sasikala, Hindu Aikya Vedi chief
Women aged 10-50 aren't allowed inside Sabarimala as the deity is 'celibate'. The Supreme Court has referred the case on women's entry in Sabarimala to a constitutional bench, which will decide if the current ban violates fundamental rights.
The Constitution bench is looking into whether women's right to equality before law guaranteed under Article 14 could be invoked to enter the shrine, in the face of the freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion guaranteed to the Devaswom board under Article 25, and their freedom to manage religious affairs guaranteed under Article 26 of the Constitution.
Jayamala, actor and MLC of the Congress in Karnataka, caused a massive controversy when in 2006, she reportedly “confessed” that she had visited the Sabarimala temple in 1986, at the age of 27, along with her husband, actor Prabhakar.
After her claims caused a furore, the case was investigated by the Kerala police and she was charged with deliberately offending religious sentiments.
The Kerala High Court, however, quashed the chargesheet against her and two others, holding that malicious intent to offend religious feelings had to be proved.
(This copy has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute)
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