Sabarimala verdict fine, but what about ground level implementation? Activists voice concern over acceptance

Women activists Friday hailed the Supreme Court judgement allowing women into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala, but expressed concern over its acceptance at the ground level by people.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in its 4:1 verdict, said that banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and the practice violates rights of Hindu women.

Chhavi Methi, a women rights activist welcomed the judgement, but said its acceptance remains to be seen.

"I am doubtful the temple authorities would take it in the right spirit. Women would accept it but its implementation might pose a problem," she said.

Another women rights activist Vani Subramaniam said the decision is an extension of various pro-equality judgements taken by the Supreme Court, but she too expressed concern over the community's reaction to it.

"Question remains to be seen how it is accepted in the community and by the people at the ground level," she aid.

Mariam Dhawale, General Secretary of the The All India Democratic Women's Association, called it another step that would help in bringing equality.

"We welcome the judgment. Women have a constitutional right to be able to visit the temple and whoever wishes must be allowed to visit it," she said.

Meanwhile, retired Supreme Court Judge N Santosh Hegde also welcomed the apex court judgement Friday paving the way for entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala.

"I fully agree with the judgement. All through...for decades...women were discriminated as another human being. God is the same for both man and woman," the former Solicitor General of India told PTI.

"Their biological differences cannot be a ground for the purpose of refusing entry into the temple. I think Supreme Court recently has been giving some very positive and good decisions. This is a also very good one. I fully agree with it," the former Karnataka Lokayukta added.

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