The many voices: Entry of women in Sabarimala

When it comes to devotion it indeed is an individual perspective to live life and in having connection with the almighty. But the fact that segregating gender in the name of devotion is certainly something that one must stress and think about.

Devotees during the Ayyappa season gather at Sabarimala in the God’s own country Kerala to offer prayers; but why is it that women are not allowed to do so? Is it that women are unworthy or are the prayers of women not accept by God? The question was raised by women.

The supreme court did pass a judgement lifting the ban on women entering Sabarimala, but the recent developments make one wonder if the judgement is being taken seriously or not. Will the women be allowed at all?

The recent incident where, journalists Kavitha and Rehna Fathima and many other women attempting to enter the temple were attacked by the men devotees has led to a major protest. Is this the right justice, demand women, who wish to be free to enter the temple premises. There are evidently mixed responses.

Social activist and writer Chandana Chakrabarti says, “Men should question themselves ‘Would they be on earth if women did not have menstruation?’ Where did they come from? I think that men should know whatever they are thinking is completely silly. Men wouldn’t have existed if women did not menstruate. Such retrograde, regressive mentality! And, we have just lifted the lid of mob mentality. Today law and order do not matter; they all know that they can do things and get away with it.”

Some feel that Sabarimala temple entry is more about faith and less about equality. Karuna Gopal, Incharge for BJP manifesto for Urban Telangana and Hyderabad says, “Sabarimala temple entry is about faith and it's about deep traditional practices. Women have embraced the practice for decades. This sudden protest is not about equality; it's about some who have a malicious intent. No court order will make Hindu women and true devotees enter the temple. There is enough proof that the whole thing has been instigated by a few and is being carried forward by the same few. Hindus consider it a sacrilege and violation of faith. It’s clear from the protests staged on the streets of Kerala by lakhs of devotees.”

“This ‘high drama' created by a few with 'dubious' background will not stand the test of time. Everything will pass, and the same tradition will continue. It’s a matter of time before the fake devotees wanting to enter the temple will tire and give up,” she adds.

Kondaveeti Satyavati, Editor, Bhumika magazine, on the other hand, says, “I am for the judgment and it is a constitutional right of every woman. Nobody can stop women from entering any place in India. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional right of women. I am an atheist; I do not believe in God, but the constitution is above everything. In fact, I do not believe, but, I want to go and break the propaganda. Menstruation is a natural thing and it should not be compared as pure or un-pure.”

“Basically, they have reasons, and I think the main reason is because they want us to follow certain traditions. Sabarimala has 40 days ritual and we women get our periods in 20 days, so we cannot even take the deeksha. This is something that society has created and making it move on. We are suppressing ourselves by fighting for something that we don’t have to. How many of us are going into scriptures? We do not talk about the occasions when women are given importance. There are certain traditions that have been coming for decades. I strongly believe that we have to respect them. I wouldn’t go about insulting a culture,” says artist Sravanthi Juluri.

Social worker Aparna Krishnan from Pelleguttapalli shares, “In villages women and men go to temples. Women here respect the rule of the temple and follow it. They do not see any gender discrimination. Out of the 200 Ayyappa temples, 199 allow women, which is ok and we should leave Sabarimala alone. There are some temples where men are not allowed, Hinduism is a diverse religion and there are various practices which is ok. If women want to enter that temple then I support that. But, this temple has a different story. And, temple is a spot for devotees and not a tourist place and one needs to respect the thing happening there...”

With inputs from Womenia team