Malappuram: The administration of the Thirumandhamkunnu Devi temple at Angadippuram in Malappiuram district has denied allegations of blocking a woman who entered temple premises wearing a headscarf terming it baseless.
A controversy had erupted after a woman identified as Anjana Menon from Pattambi was denied entry to the temple on Saturday as she was covering head with a scarf. Temple executive officer C.C. Dinesh said on Monday said that it is customary for devotes to remove shirts, scarves and slippers for the darshan at the temple and made it clear that the temple authorities cannot give any exemption in this regard.
Ms Menon, 25, alleged that that she was blocked by the security guard at the temple for covering her head. The entire episode had been streamed live on Facebook by her, explaining the situation she faced in the temple. She had said that she could not expose her head to sunlight since a portion of her head remains tonsured as part of a medical treatment.
She said she informed of her condition to the security guard and sought entry to the temple.
She later filed a complaint against the temple authorities at Perinthalmanna police station. A person who allegedly harassed her outside the temple has been arrested based on the complaint.
The temple authorities have filed a counter complaint against her for allegedly threatening temple security staffers.
The temple authorities made it clear that they have limitations to allow entry to a person who breaches the temple customs which cannot be violated.
“We cannot change customs and traditions of the temple for an individual," Mr Dinesh said. He also alleged hidden motive behind the woman's protest with the support of her friends near the temple.
