Kerala : BJP and Congress walk out of all-party meeting over Sabarimala issue

The Chief Minister's meeting was aimed at discussing the row over the entry of women of menstruating ages at the shrine, ahead of the two-month long annual 'Mandala Makkaravillakku' or the pilgrimage season, set to start on November 17.

"We have to see if particular days can be fixed for women...this needs to be discussed. The Supreme Court clearly said that the September 28 verdict stands and that means women should be allowed. The state government can not take any stand against this verdict, though we respect the feelings of the devotees," said the Chief Minister after the two opposition parties walked out of the meeting.

Even after the Supreme Court order, an overwhelming section of devotees, backed by various religious organisations, have been fiercely opposing the entry of womenfolk inside the temple opposing violation of a long-held code. Several women have been forced to return from near the temple abandoning their journey. However,  Nearly 500 young women have registered on the website of the Kerala police, for darshan, over the last one week.

Activist Trupti Desai, who had written to the Chief Minister, seeking security for her visit to Sabrimala on Saturday said, "I have not received any response from the Kerala government. If any incident occurs, it's the responsibility of the Chief Minister and police chief." Rival activist Rahul Eashwar, who is opposed to entry of women in 10 to 50 age groups, promised to fight Ms Desai tooth-and-nail to prevent her from entering the shrine.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier accused the BJP and the RSS of conspiring to create trouble at Sabarimala. "The odious politics and perfidious ways of the BJP stand exposed. Evidence has surfaced that BJP leaders in the state connived to create trouble," Vijayan said on November 9.

As a vast section of the Kerala people are opposed to the entry of women in the temple, the BJP and the Congress, two main opposition parties in the state, took out processions last week  protesting the Supreme Court's order, lifting ban on girls and women in 10 to 50 age groups, from entering the temple. While the BJP took out a rath yatra called 'Save Sabarimala Campaign', the Congress organized padyatras across the state, starting from five locations.

On Monday, the Kerala government submitted an affidavit in the High Court, stating that it never interfered in religious matters and rituals at Sabarimala temple. The state government also told the court that some political parties, with their own agenda staged protests condemning the judgment of the Supreme Court and obstructed women devotees from entering the temple.