Sabarimala row: With Kerala polls around, Left takes vague stand on women’s entry after backing reform | India News

NEW DELHI: As the Kerala Assembly polls head towards, the ruling Left government on Tuesday refrained from spelling out its stand on the entry of women of menstruating age. Sabarimala templeIt said it will decide after deliberations and when the Supreme Court seeks its feedback.Facing continued pressure from the opposition, state law minister P Rajeev and devaswam minister VN Vasavan said the Supreme Court had constituted a larger bench only to examine the review petitions and had not yet asked the state government to clarify its stand.

“We have always been with the fans. There is no doubt about that. We will never stand against the fans,” Vasavan told reporters, but avoided directly answering whether the government would support or oppose women’s entry, PTI reported.He said that arguments on the matter would begin in April and the government would convey its position to the court after necessary consultations.Rajiv echoed this position, noting that the court would first examine whether it had the power to interfere with traditional rituals at places of worship. “So, it is unreasonable to ask the government to declare its position at this moment,” he said, according to PTI.The minister added that the SC has indicated that it will consider the review petition only after resolving seven fundamental questions, giving the government time to consult constitutional experts and scholars before taking a decision.The issue has resurfaced as a political flashpoint in poll-bound Kerala, with the Congress and BJP demanding clarity from the CPI(M)-led government, which had earlier backed the implementation of a 2018 ruling that allowed women of all ages to enter temples – a move that sparked widespread protests across the state.CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby also avoided a clear answer. He said that if the government wants to clarify its position, it will take a suitable decision after discussion. Referring to earlier unrest, he said any decision must be taken after due deliberation and any action should avoid social tension.The debate gathered pace again after the Supreme Court reopened the matter on Monday, announcing that a nine-judge bench would begin final hearing of petitions related to discrimination against women in religions and places of worship, including Sabarimala.Under pressure from Hindu caste organizations and opposition parties, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government maintained that the issue involved constitutional complications and that it would take an appropriate stand after discussions. The opposition has requested the government to file an amended affidavit in the Supreme Court clarifying its stand.