Palakkad: The opposition Congress and BJP in Kerala on Monday urged the CPI(M)-led government to clarify its stance on the Sabarimala women’s entry issue, with the Congress calling on it to file a revised affidavit in the Supreme Court.
Senior Congress leader V D Satheesan said the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government should be ready to “correct” the affidavit it had filed earlier. He alleged that several organisations invited to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam had been “misled” with assurances that the government would alter its stand on women entering the Sabarimala temple.
Addressing reporters in Palakkad, Satheesan said that if the affidavit were not revised, the government’s “duplicity” would be exposed. He accused the state of adopting a “confused approach,” lacking a clear or firm stance on the issue while simultaneously seeking the support of Ayyappa devotees.
“How many hours of discussion are required to state that the earlier stand is being changed in view of changed social circumstances? Just 10 minutes are needed to file an affidavit,” Satheesan remarked. He added that if the government refused to amend its affidavit, the UDF would do so if voted to power.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that the government had previously taken U-turns on multiple issues and might do the same regarding women’s entry at Sabarimala. He noted that the government had organised the Ayyappa Sangamam, making its final position unpredictable. “The government can do anything keeping the elections in mind,” Chandrasekhar said, while asserting that the BJP’s stance on the issue remains unchanged.
The opposition parties’ reactions came soon after the Supreme Court said a nine-judge bench will commence the final hearing on a batch of petitions concerning discrimination against women in religious places, including Sabarimala Temple.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said it will begin hearings on April 7, with the proceedings expected to conclude by April 22. The bench has asked the parties to submit their written submissions by March 14.
With PTI inputs