Kochi, March 17: The issue of women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple has once again taken center stage in Kerala’s political landscape. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has demanded a clear stance from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding this sensitive matter.
Speaking at an event organized by the Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha in Kochi, Venugopal accused the state government of failing to present a clear position in the Supreme Court on this issue. He pointed out that despite several opportunities, the government has not clarified whether it supports or opposes the entry of women of all ages into the temple.
Venugopal criticized the Chief Minister, stating that while Vijayan had apologized when sentiments were hurt over an actor’s incident, he has yet to address the hurt feelings surrounding the religious and faith-related issue of Sabarimala.
He also questioned why cases against devotees who protested against Sabarimala have not been withdrawn and why compensation has not been provided to those affected. Venugopal alleged that the government is attempting to evade responsibility in this matter.
Referring to previous affidavits, he noted that the 2016 government continued the stance of the 2007 VS Achuthanandan administration without any new considerations.
Venugopal further stated that the government’s claim of seeking the opinions of religious scholars and leaving the decision to the Supreme Court is, in fact, a way to avoid responsibility. He criticized the argument that the government could legislate on the matter but has not shown any concrete stance thus far.
Reiterating the Congress party’s position, he emphasized that they are not against women’s entry but insisted that any decision should respect the temple’s traditions and customs. He argued that linking this issue directly to gender equality is inappropriate, as it is also tied to faith and tradition.
Challenging the Chief Minister openly, Venugopal insisted that the public deserves a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. He warned that if the government fails to respond, the electorate will make their voices heard in the upcoming elections.
With voting scheduled for April 9 and results to be announced on May 4, the Sabarimala controversy has once again become a focal point of political debate in the state.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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