Congress leader Sashi Tharoor voiced his objection against the gender discrimination in lord Ayyappa’s shrine in Sabarimala. Underscoring Indian constitution that rejects gender discrimination, he added that women should be permitted to enter all temples in India.
However, he clarified that it is just his opinion and Congress party may have a different take on the issue.
“We have seen many past customs and traditions that have had to evolve with time. If you look at the fact that up to the 1930s, Dalits could not be allowed into temples and we all know that was a wrong practice. Similarly, the idea of discriminating against gender will inevitably have to change,” ANI quoted Tharoor in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
Image Courtesy: Facebook
Supreme court is currently hearing a petition by young lawyers’ association seeking women’s entry into the temple shrine . According to the temple customs, girls below the age of 10 years and women above the age of 50 years will only be admitted to the shrine.
Recently, Parasuram temple in Garhwal in Dehradun opened its gates to women and dalits overriding a 400 year old tradition.
