New Delhi: In yet another blow to the sentiments of Sabarimala devotees, the Kerala government submitted to the Supreme Court that entry of woman in no way affected the celibacy of Ayyappa.
The government has given its arguments in writing to the SC last day, which says that the ban on women at Sabarimala is an affront to the dignity of women. It also mentions that until 2007 woman above the age of 35 were allowed to become members of Tranvancore Devasom Board. From 2007 this age bar was raised to 60 years.
The government argues that if a woman of 35 years can become member of TDB, then there is no restriction for her to enter Sabarimala.
In addition, the left government says that other Ayyappa temples do not bar woman entry. Therefore, the ban on woman at Sabarimala is not an intrinsic part to the traditions of the temple.
The government has also requested the constitutional bench to decide if the ban on woman entry to Sabarimala is an inseparable part of a religion or a tradition.
Finally, the government has come against Adv. Venkataraman’s argument that Governments do not give protection for a tradition and that woman entry is a tradition.
