Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary MV Govindan, Thiruvananthapuram, said on Friday that the party has decided that the LDF government should give an “appropriate response” in the Supreme Court regarding the entry of women into Sabarimala after examining its legal and constitutional aspects.
Addressing a press conference here, Govindan said the Supreme Court sought the state’s response to seven queries and none of them asked whether women should be allowed to enter the shrine of Lord Ayyappa.
The State Secretary of the Communist Party of India was responding to journalists’ queries regarding the party and government’s stand on women’s entry into Sabarimala.
“The Kerala State Secretariat has decided, as requested, that the Kerala Government may file an appropriate response after considering its legal and constitutional aspects.
“The state secretariat decided that, given the current circumstances and after studying the legal aspects, the necessary decision must be taken,” Govindan said.
He also claimed that the party did not say that there was any change in its position.
Govindan further alleged that the Supreme Court did not ask whether women should be allowed into Sabarimala or not.
“We have to answer seven questions and none of them asked whether women should be allowed into Sabarimala or not. It is not just about Sabarimala, it is a constitutional issue before the Supreme Court and it concerns all religions,” he said.
On customs protection, Govindan said the party’s position has always been that the decision should be taken after discussions with experts and “critics” in the field.
“CPI has always taken into account the sentiments of believers/devotees,” he added.
The prevailing practice in Sabarimala restricts the entry of women of menstruating age into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
The Travancore Devaswom Board, which administers the Sabarimala shrine, recently said it would file an affidavit before the Supreme Court to maintain the existing tradition when the court hears petitions related to the entry of women of menstruating age into the hill shrine.
In 2018, the Supreme Court allowed entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple, which was supported by the CPI(M) at the time.
The review petitions are currently under consideration and the Supreme Court has asked the aggrieved parties, including the state government, to express its stand before March 14.
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