Kerala BJP unit has declared that the party is not against women’s entry in Sabarimala, but they are not happy with political parties interfering on the issue.
The party said that it should be discussed and decided by religious heads and temple authorities.
BJP spokesperson J Padmakumar told The Times of India: “Whether women of all ages can enter the temple is not for political parties to decide. It is a decision that the temple authorities and the tantri have to take. But we are not against entry of women in temples.”
Though the BJP leadership had reacted negatively to a Facebook post by BJP state general secretary K Surendran two weeks ago, supporting entry of women, it seems to have come around now.
“There is no need to create a controversy on whether women should or should not enter Sabarimala. The tantris, temple authorities and religious experts should discuss the issue and explain the decision to the people. Only after that, there should be a political discussion, if any,“ BJP's national executive committee member Sobha Surendran told ToI.
“The tantris and temple authorities should explain to the people why women in the age group of 10 to 50 years have not been allowed to enter Sabarimala,“ she said.
The ToI report by Preetu Nair also says that Bhumata Brigade has decided to visit Sabarimala in October, demanding entry for women of all ages. The Brigade Chief Trupti Desai had reportedly sought an appointment with Travancore Devasom Board (TDB).