Referendum for women entry inside Sabarimala not feasible: Activist

Kolkata: Women rights activist Saswati Ghosh on Sunday described Kerala Minister Kadakampally Surendra's idea of an open referendum to decide on the contentious matter of allowing entry of women inside the Sabarimala temple as 'novel', but expressed doubts over its feasibility.

Ghsoh said the idea of a referendum was not practical and asked as to what would be the basis for such a referendum.

"It will be a novel idea to go for a referendum. But then to what extent, you will have to decide, will there be a referendum on how the referendum would be conducted. Suppose 1000 people turn up, then will it be a referendum, if 10, 000 turn up, will it be a valid referendum. So, what will be the basis for referendum?" she told ANI.

She said if a religious institution is actively discriminating against certain sections of the society then the civil society must boycott it.

"All religious places, unless they actively discriminate against any category of people or actively do some offence, then the wider civil society can always boycott such institutions. Why don't other people avoid such places that discriminate one section of the society?" she asked.

The Congress Party earlier criticized the Kerala Government's idea to conduct an opinion poll on whether to allow entry of women of all age groups inside the famous Lord Ayappa temple at Sabarimala.

Kadakampally Surendra yesterday called for an open referendum in connection with the entry of women inside the Sabarimala temple.

"Government is prepared to conduct an opinion poll on the entry of women of all age groups at Sabarimala. A consensus on the issue is more important than court orders. A political decision on the matter will not help," he had said.

The Kerala Government had earlier voiced not take any decision that would hurt the sentiments of anyone on the issue of entry of women of menstrual age in the temple.