CPM sorts it out, backs Sabarimala entry for women

Thiruvananthapuram: CPM has clarified that  the party was for entry of women belonging to all age groups in Sabarimala temple. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told mediapersons here that the LDF government would file a fresh affidavit in connection with the issue in the Supreme Court where the case pertaining to entry of women in Sabarimala is pending. He said the CPM was for entry of women not only in Sabarimala but also in all temples.

The CPM state secretary’s statement comes close on the heels of LDF Government adopting previous Chandy government's stand justifying the restriction on the entry of women between the age of 10 and 50.  On Monday the senior counsel appearing for Kerala had submitted before the apex court that “as of now there was no change in the stand.” However, he added that the matter would be argued legally suggesting that it would convey its stand on the issue later.

In 2007, the then LDF government led by  V S Achuthanandan had taken a position that it was unfair to keep the temple out of bounds for women of a particular age category. Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran had hinted at government initiating discussions with all stake holders to seek their opinion on allowing entry of women.

  “We are not going to impose our decision but to evolve a consensus. The discussions will revolve around the reasons for preventing the entry of women at a time when they are attaining laudable achievements in all spheres of society,” the minister had pointed.