Factions Within Congress & BJP Differ on SC’s Sabarimala Verdict

The Supreme Court verdict lifted the ban on menstruating women entering the Sabarimala temple.

File image of the famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala.  The Supreme Court verdict had ruled that women of all ages can enter the temple. 

(Photo: IANS)

Following the Supreme Court’s verdict that women of all ages can now enter the Sabarimala temple, differing opinions have emerged among the political class — both Congress and BJP are dealing with dissenting factions over the issue.

In the Congress, Kerala vs Centre

While the Kerala unit of the Congress echoed the sentiments of the Ayyappa devotees — who have been protesting against the verdict — the party’s headquarters sought to downplay their opposition, by saying that it supported the apex court’s decision, reports The Indian Express. The Ayyappa devotees argue that the Supreme Court’s decision goes against the basic belief and tradition of the Sabarimala temple,

The party’s Kerala Unit on Monday, 1 October, had said that the Travancore Devaswom Board, which runs the temple, should file a review petition against the judgment. This stance was backed by Congress Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi.

However, Congress MLA Mallikarjun Kharge told The Indian Express that as per his “personal view”, he welcomed the judgement.

Clearing the air, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told PTI that there was no contradiction in the party's stand at the national and the state level on the Supreme Court judgement.

According to Surjewala, the Congress’ overall stance was based on the fact that there cannot be any discrimination on the ground of gender as per India’s Constitution.

While stating that the verdict was “final and binding”, he said that the Kerala unit of the Congress was only expressing the sentiments of the people in Kerala by demanding a review of the apex court’s verdict, reports PTI.

He also added that the state unit was expressing its views freely; as the Congress leadership does not stifle opinions.

If the state unit feels, considering the local sensitivities in a particular fashion, can we say their right of expression of opinion has been taken away?

Randeep Singh Surjewala to <i>PTI</i>

Stating that the Kerala unit of the Congress was “well within its rights” to demand a review of the judgement, he added, “It is not illegal and it is again for the Supreme Court to reiterate or to reconsider. So, I don't think so there is any contradiction of stands there,” reports PTI.

BJP Mouthpiece Contradicts Earlier Stance

The RSS gave a green signal to the Mahila Morcha and the Yuva Morcha to take to the streets to protest against the judgement on Wednesday, 3 October. But the BJP mouthpiece in Kerala, reportedly published an article supporting the same.

According to Malayalam newspaper, Matrubhumi, which claims to have published the BJP mouthpiece article, it reportedly points out that contrary to claims, the verdict did not affect the basic customs and rituals of Sabarimala.

The article, which was written by Bharatiya Vichara Kendram Deputy Director, R Sanjayan, also reportedly says that “women pilgrims arriving in large numbers” would help to “increase the divinity of the temple.”

The article also noted that the verdict did not “adversely affect” the Hindu community, Matrubhumi reports. News of this BJP-pro-verdict article came soon after the Mahila Morcha took to protesting in front of the Devaswom board headquarters in Trivandrum against the judgement.

(With inputs from PTI, The Indian Express and Matrubhumi)