Shylaja Vijayan, President, National Ayyappa Devotees Association filed a petition against the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict on the Sabarimala temple case.
The verdict of the Supreme Court allows women aged between 10 and 50 years to enter the Sabarimala temple. It created a lot of chaos amongst the devotees of Lord Ayyappa, who was considered to be a celibate.
Shylaja Vijayan challenged the verdict of the court and said it affects the fundamental and long standing tradition of the Sabarimala temple.
The petitioner in her petition stated, “The petitioners believe that no legal luminary, not even the greatest of jurists or a judge, can be a match to the common sense and wisdom of the masses. No judicial pronouncement, even of the highest judicial tribunal in this country… can be a match for ‘the voice of the people.’”
The petition was filed after the hue and cry of the devotees in the form of protests comprising raising slogans and conducting a rally ‘Ayyappa Nama Japa Yatra’ at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday. A protest was also held in Chennai from Kodambakkam High Road to Mahalingapuram Sree Ayyappa Temple demanding the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to file for a review petition.
Another group, Ayyappa Dharma Sena, supported the protest and said they won’t allow women of the age group 10-50 years to enter the temple.
Rahul Easwar, chief of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena said, “Hundreds of our men will lie down at the entry point of the hill when the temple opens at 5 P.M., on October 17 for the pooja, or prayer ceremony.”
The verdict ensures women are granted equality and the right of freedom to worship.
