Read the Affidavit filed by the Travancore Devaswom Board
Is it true that women within the age group 10 to 15 were never allowed entry into Sabarimala?
Read the Affidavit filed by the Travancore Devaswom Board filed before the Kerala High Court in 1991 in S.Magendran Vs The Secretary, Travancore Devaswom Board and others:
"7. In olden days worshippers visit the temple only after observing penance for 41 days. Since pilgrims to Sabarimala temple ought to undergo 'Vrathams' or penance for 41 days, usually ladies between the age of 10 and 50 will not be physically capable of observing vratham for 41 days on physiological grounds. The religious practices and customs followed earlier had changed during the last 40 years particularly from 1950, the year in which the renovation of the temple took place after the "fire disaster". Even while the old customs prevailed, women used to visit the temple though very rarely. The Maharaja of Travancore accompanied by the Maharani and the Divan had visited the temple in 1115 M.E. There was thus no prohibition for women to enter the Sabarimala temple in olden days, but women in large number were not visiting the temple. That was not because of any prohibition imposed by Hindu religion but because of other non-religious factors. In recent years, many worshippers had gone to the temple with lady worshippers within the age group 10 to 50 for the first rice-feeding ceremony of their children (Chottoonu). The Board used to issue receipts on such occasions on payment of the prescribed charges. A change in the old custom and practice was brought about by installing a flag staff (Dhwajam) in 1969. Another change was brought about by the introduction of Padipooja. These were done on the advice of the Thanthri. Changes were also effected in other practices. The practice of breaking coconuts on the 18 steps was discontinued and worshippers were allowed to crack the coconuts only on a stone placed below the eighteen sacred steps (Pathinettaam Padi). These changes had been brought about in order to preserve the temple and the prescind in all its gaiety and sanctity.
8. For the last 20 years woman irrespective of their age were allowed to visit the temple when it opens for monthly poojas. They were not permitted to enter the temple during Mandalam, Makaravilakku. and Vishu seasons".
Is it not clear that the BJP, the Congress and all those who are on the streets agitating against the State Government are playing dirty politics?
[21:16, 10/21/2018] Moorthy: Rajendran Parameswaran
Sabarimala Case:- No Ordinance or Amendment is sustainable in law because such Ordinance and Amendment will be unconstitutional in view of the law declared by the Supreme Court in the following terms:
"Article 25(1), by employing the expression 'all persons', demonstrates that the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion is available, though subject to the restrictions delineated in Article 25(1) itself, to every person including women. The right guaranteed under Article 25(1) has nothing to do with gender or, for that matter, certain physiological factors specifically attributable to women.
(iii) The exclusionary practice being followed at the Sabrimala
temple by virtue of Rule 3(b) of the 1965 Rules violates the
right of Hindu women to freely practice their religion and
exhibit their devotion towards Lord Ayyappa. This denial
denudes them of their right to worship. The right to practice
religion under Article 25(1) is equally available to both men
and women of all age groups professing the same religion.
(iv) The impugned Rule 3(b) of the 1965 Rules, framed under
the 1965 Act, that stipulates exclusion of entry of women of
the age group of 10 to 50 years, is a clear violation of the
right of Hindu women to practice their religious beliefs
93 which, in consequence, makes their fundamental right of
religion under Article 25(1) a dead letter." The BJP and the Congress who have top lawyers in their fold are misleading the people of Kerala by stating that the problem can be solved by promulgating an Ordinance by the State Government.
Read the Affidavit filed by the Travancore Devaswom Board filed before the Kerala High Court in 1991 in S.Magendran Vs The Secretary, Travancore Devaswom Board and others:
"7. In olden days worshippers visit the temple only after observing penance for 41 days. Since pilgrims to Sabarimala temple ought to undergo 'Vrathams' or penance for 41 days, usually ladies between the age of 10 and 50 will not be physically capable of observing vratham for 41 days on physiological grounds. The religious practices and customs followed earlier had changed during the last 40 years particularly from 1950, the year in which the renovation of the temple took place after the "fire disaster". Even while the old customs prevailed, women used to visit the temple though very rarely. The Maharaja of Travancore accompanied by the Maharani and the Divan had visited the temple in 1115 M.E. There was thus no prohibition for women to enter the Sabarimala temple in olden days, but women in large number were not visiting the temple. That was not because of any prohibition imposed by Hindu religion but because of other non-religious factors. In recent years, many worshippers had gone to the temple with lady worshippers within the age group 10 to 50 for the first rice-feeding ceremony of their children (Chottoonu). The Board used to issue receipts on such occasions on payment of the prescribed charges. A change in the old custom and practice was brought about by installing a flag staff (Dhwajam) in 1969. Another change was brought about by the introduction of Padipooja. These were done on the advice of the Thanthri. Changes were also effected in other practices. The practice of breaking coconuts on the 18 steps was discontinued and worshippers were allowed to crack the coconuts only on a stone placed below the eighteen sacred steps (Pathinettaam Padi). These changes had been brought about in order to preserve the temple and the prescind in all its gaiety and sanctity.
8. For the last 20 years woman irrespective of their age were allowed to visit the temple when it opens for monthly poojas. They were not permitted to enter the temple during Mandalam, Makaravilakku. and Vishu seasons".
Is it not clear that the BJP, the Congress and all those who are on the streets agitating against the State Government are playing dirty politics?
[21:16, 10/21/2018] Moorthy: Rajendran Parameswaran
Sabarimala Case:- No Ordinance or Amendment is sustainable in law because such Ordinance and Amendment will be unconstitutional in view of the law declared by the Supreme Court in the following terms:
"Article 25(1), by employing the expression 'all persons', demonstrates that the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion is available, though subject to the restrictions delineated in Article 25(1) itself, to every person including women. The right guaranteed under Article 25(1) has nothing to do with gender or, for that matter, certain physiological factors specifically attributable to women.
(iii) The exclusionary practice being followed at the Sabrimala
temple by virtue of Rule 3(b) of the 1965 Rules violates the
right of Hindu women to freely practice their religion and
exhibit their devotion towards Lord Ayyappa. This denial
denudes them of their right to worship. The right to practice
religion under Article 25(1) is equally available to both men
and women of all age groups professing the same religion.
(iv) The impugned Rule 3(b) of the 1965 Rules, framed under
the 1965 Act, that stipulates exclusion of entry of women of
the age group of 10 to 50 years, is a clear violation of the
right of Hindu women to practice their religious beliefs
93 which, in consequence, makes their fundamental right of
religion under Article 25(1) a dead letter." The BJP and the Congress who have top lawyers in their fold are misleading the people of Kerala by stating that the problem can be solved by promulgating an Ordinance by the State Government.
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