Kerala CM Vijayan holds all-party meeting over Sabarimala row
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 15 (IBNS): The all-party meeting, which has been called by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, to discuss the row over the entry of menstrual women into the state's Sabarimala Temple is presently underway, media reports said.
Vijayan is likely to discuss security arrangements made for devotees two days prior to the two-month long annual Mandala Makkaravillakku at the shrine.
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Sept 28 had lifted the ban on women's entry into the Sabarimala temple declaring the relevant rules as unconstitutional.
Following the top court's verdict, the shrine opened on Oct 18 for the first time allowing menstruating women, belonging to the age group of 10 to 50, to enter the temple.
However, several men and women had protested outside the temple, and tried to prevent the entry of women in the shrine. The temple was closed after five-day puja.
Menstruating women were earlier banned from entering the temple for centuries as a part of the religious practice.
Two women- an activist and a journalist- had attempted to enter the Temple.
However, they returned without entering the shrine.
The two women turned back after the priest threatened to shut the temple if they don't go back.
Protests had rocked the state in recent times over the verdict with demonstrators not supporting the order of allowing women aged between 10 and 50 from entering the temple.
The temple again reopened for Sree Chithira Attathirunal pooja recently. No violence was reported that time.
Last week, both the Congress and BJP had hit the streets to protest the verdict of the top court.
Image: facebook.com/PinarayiVijayan
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