A large number of devotees of Lord Ayyappa held a procession on Sunday to protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing women of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
Led by a large number of women, the procession went through the streets of Kodambakkam to reach the Swamy Ayyappan Temple in Mahalingapuram in the locality.
The devotees carried placards saying ‘Save Sabarimala Temple’ and ‘Protect the Sanctity of Sabarimala’ and distributed pamphlets to the public seeking the review of the Supreme Court’s decision.
The procession was organised by Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam and several other organisations.
‘Oath-taking’
The protest march is a precursor for another programme where women devotees would be taking an ‘oath’ against entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala on October 12, the organisers said. T. Hemalatha, a participant at the protest march, said the procession was held to show solidarity to the vow taken by the women in Kerala to not enter the Sabarimala temple, which has the custom of not allowing young women to enter the temple premises in order to maintain the sanctity of Lord Ayyappa.
Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan on Sunday said he believed that women won’t go to the Sabarimala temple “in keeping with the agama principles,” notwithstanding the Supreme Court’s verdict on the matter.
Addressing mediapersons after attending a function at a temple, Mr. Radhakrishnan said the issue won’t affect ties between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Published - October 08, 2018 01:14 am IST
