Echoing the views of the Congress, the BJP has also said that the Kerala government shouldn't facilitate the entry of young women into Sabarimala even though the Supreme Court division bench didn't stay the existing judgement on it.
Former BJP state President and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan said that the government should show restraint as the court has not taken a final decision on the matter.
Kummanam added that the government should not use the lack of clarity regarding stay in the case to push for young women’s entry.
Former BJP state President PS Sreedharan Pillai, who was recently appointed as the Mizoram Governor, said that faith will be protected.
"Faith will be protected - the Indian constitution itself guarantees it. As an Ayyappa devotee, the apex court decision brings immense happiness. I welcome the referring of the hearing to a larger bench," Sreedharan Pillai said.
Prominent community organisation Nair Service Society, also welcomed the decision. NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair, said that the decision is the victory of the faithful.
Head priest of Sabarimala temple, Kantararu Rajeevaru, views the decision as something which gives hope and confidence to Ayyappa devotees.
He said "It's good the court has observed that Ayyappa devotees should be seen as a separate group. We are of the view that religion and law should not be mixed."
Meanwhile, Vellappally Natesan, head of SNDP, another community organisation, said the decision is a victory of agitations carried out by various organisations against the earlier judgement.
He also said that we should wait for the judgment of the larger bench. "All the devotees should keep calm during the pilgrimage season this year," Vellappally said.
Vellappally is part of the Navothana Samithi (Renaissance Committee) that was formed to make the atmosphere conducive for entry of women, post the SC verdict in September 2018.
However, the Devaswom Minister who is in charge of the temples, Kadakampally Surendran, said that the government has always maintained that the court order will be accepted.
"The contents of the judgment should be examined in detail. The Opposition should not repeat its efforts to foment trouble in the name of Sabarimala. We had all accepted the Ayodhya verdict. We should adopt the same stance in the case of Sabarimala too," he said.
The Congress, after the judgement, had said that the government shouldn't make women enter into the temple.
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