Women entering Sabarimala will turn it into a spot of sex tourism, says Devasawom chief

'Even if the court opens its doors, I don't think self-respecting women will dare to go up to the hill shrine.'
Women entering Sabarimala will turn it into a spot of sex tourism, says Devasawom chief
Women entering Sabarimala will turn it into a spot of sex tourism, says Devasawom chief
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In yet another misogynistic statement made following the recent SC decision on the entry of menstruating women into Sabarimala, the Travancore Devaswom Board President Prayar Gopalakrishnan has said that allowing women to enter the shrine would turn it into a spot for sex tourism like Thailand.

The Devaswom chief also said that they will not be able to ensure the safety of women visiting the shrine.

The SC has recently ordered that a Constitutional Bench look into the validity of ban on menstruating women entering Sabarimala. A bench of Justice Dipak Misra, Justice R Banumathi and Justice Ashok Bhushan in its judgment framed five questions to be addressed by the Bench.

Speaking to media, Gopalakrishnan said that allowing women inside temples will lead to 'immoral activities'.

"If women are allowed, we can't ensure their security. We don't like to convert it as a sex tourism spot like Thailand. Even if the court opens its doors, I don't think self-respecting women will dare to go up to the hill shrine," he said, reports Hindustan Times. 

"It is an age-old tradition and all are bound to respect it. If women are allowed in rush hours, it will lead to many issues. Nobody can ensure their security. There are chances for immoral activities also," the TDB president said.

His concern was that if all women are going to come, then women police officials have to be posted, and then comes the issue of providing safety and security to both women pilgrims and women police officials.

State Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran, however, flayed Gopalakrishnan's statement. "He has insulted women and pilgrims alike. He should withdraw his statement and tender an apology," said Surendran.

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