With just three days left to the ‘Mandala Makkaravillakku’ or pilgrimage season, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan called for an all-party meeting today to discuss Sabarimala Temple row regarding the controversy over entry of women of menstruating age.Over 500 young women have registered on the website of the Kerala police, for darshan.
Vijayan said,”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.”
Both Congress and BJP walked out of the all-party meeting.
State BJP chief said,”The Chief Minister’s stand is unacceptable and he is behaving like Stalin.”
Congress opposition leader, Ramesh Chennithala said, “This is very unfortunate. It’s for the first time that opposition’s advice has not been taken.”
Last week both BJP and Congress came on the streets in Kerala protesting against SC’s order which revoked the 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.