Supreme Court didn't take into account Ayyappa devotees' feelings: Mohan Bhagwat

Stating that the September 2018 Supreme Court ruling on Sabarimala was a "hurried one", Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the Supreme Court did not take into account the "emotions" of millions of Hindus in the country by passing a verdict allowing women of all age groups to enter the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

"Every Hindu temple has its own tradition and so is Sabarimala temple. But the Supreme Court didn't take that into consideration. It has abruptly overturned centuries-old traditions," Bhagwat said while addressing the inaugural session of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Dharma Sansad in Prayagraj on the sidelines of Kumbh Mela.

"The apex court had stated that if a woman demands entry they must be allowed to do so and if they are stopped they must be provided protection to enter into the temple," the RSS Sarsanghchalak said.

"But women themselves are saying that they are ready to wait. This is a question of traditions of a particular temple. But why has such a decision taken in a hurry?" Bhagwat said.

"The Supreme Court did not ponder over the fact that emotions of crores of Hindus will be hurt," he said.

In September last year, the Supreme Court had paved the way for the entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala. In the past, women devotees of menstruating age were not permitted to enter the temple. According to the legend, Lord Ayappa – the presiding deity of Sabarimala temple in Kerala – is believed to be in a naisthik brahmachary (eternal celibate) stage.

"The Supreme Court ruling had also stated that God is not a legal entity and since the temple is a public place, all decisions can be implemented there. It is right that a religious place can be open to all for worship. But you cannot term that a public place. It is rather a place of worship belonging to a particular community which has its own traditions and discipline," the RSS chief said.

Bhagwat said such a verdict has "failed" to yield the desired result and resulted in a "conflict" instead.

It could be noted that DNA was the first to report about how the RSS is taking up the Sabarimala movement to the national level in a big way.

The RSS chief also lashed out at Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPM government in Kerala for "facilitating" the entry of women through the "back door".

"....when no woman wants to go they brought women from Sri Lanka and facilitated their entry through the back door. If you had to do it legally do it from the front door," Bhagwat said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has decided to hear a batch of petitions seeking review of its September 2018 judgement allowing women of age groups into Sabarimala temple. A five judge constitution bench will hear the review petitions on February 6.

VHP Resolutions

Emphasising that India witnessed various cases of “maligning” Hindu beliefs, VHP Dharma Sansad passed two resolutions, one on “conspiracy” to “disintegrate” Hindu society and other on “struggle” to save Sabarimala temple.