What is happening in Sabarimala?: Excerpts from Shri J Nandakumar’s speech

“Sabarimala is not a case of fundamental right but that of following rules and regulations of a traditional temple. Those who judged against Sabarimala traditions were those who deem Western Morality as an ideal and should be adopted here without any considerations for local traditions. People who foisted the case on Sabarimala are those who have no idea about our traditions, the meaning of shuddhi, and are even inimical to Hindus. Even the Kerala Police has acted in haste and has attacked the devotees. One of the IPS officer’s had even desecrated the Irumudi.

Ayyappa’s story is about the synthesis of Yoga and Moksha. In Puranas, his story starts with Sagara Manthana and his birth for a reason to vanquish a demon. The life of Ayyappa and tradition of Sabarimala is the belief of his devotees. Hence Ayyappa should be visited if you are a believer and it is not a place for someone’s activism. As per the Puranas, when Ayyappa went for Sadhana deep inside the forest, people wanted to go along with him. But Ayyappa laid some conditions and regulations for those who wished to visit him. Restrictions on days and who can see him were laid down. Brahmacharya Vrata, the vow of celibacy, was paramount. This is what a devotee is expected to adhere to before visiting Ayyappa, and this belief system has existed for centuries.

The case of Nataraja temple in England, where it was judged that the rights of the Temple diety are paramount, is a case in point. Similarly, Faizabad court had ruled that the Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya belongs to Ram Lalla. But the SC judgment over Sabarimala has attempted to nullify this. This is not just the judgement over Sabarimala but will affect every other Hindu temple which can be similarly targetted using the same judgement. Even local temples can be taken over which is dangerous.

Our traditions are diverse and not homogenous, unlike Abrahamic gods. Force fitting western standpoint on God and society on our cultural traditions is wrong and dangerous. Sabarimala Ayyappa tradition is one which brings everyone irrespective of caste, creed, profession or income. Such harmony was brought about informally through the traditional practices of thousands of years. But today Pinarayi Vijaya’s government is out to destroy this natural harmony of the holy site.

The philosophical importance of Sabarimala and the reason the pilgrimage is taken is also important. A devotee seeks Moksha by visiting Swami Ayyappa. Sabarimala tradition is as per Kerala Agama tradition which has to be followed by those who manage the temple.

Sabarimala is visited by more than five crore people from many southern Indian states. It’s an informal centre for Hindu consolidation which is a thorn for anti-Hindu forces for many decades now. Those who wanted to Evangelize the entire state had attacked the temple way back in 1950. But even today the police investigation report which had exposed those who had attacked had not been tabled in Parliament or made public even today. Later in 1980’s a cross of St Thomas was planted in Nilakkal to usurp a hill close to Sabarimala. Due to strong protests by Hindus, the cross was moved away from the 18 hills.

Today same Evangelical forces are out to attack Sabrimala again. Pinarayi Vijayan’s government is hell-bent to aid them in multiple ways. An immoral woman activist, Rehana Fatima, was given police protection to visit Sabarimala breaking all traditions. But common people started questioning the government, and the High Court too slammed the govt for mishandling the situation. Despite this section 144 has been imposed in Sabarimala and the devotees are being harassed and even arrested.

In the Mahendran vs State of Kerala case, the High Court had judged that the traditions of Sabarimala are paramount and disallowed any women of a particular age in violation of the traditions. But the SC has neglected all such judgements and passed the present case disrespecting the traditions. 49 review petitions have been filed and have not yet been heard but the Kerala government is hell-bent on forcing the order on the devotees even before that.

As mentioned these attempts to destroy Sabarimala is not a standalone case as later they will come for other temples. Kollur, Padmanabhaswami temple, and other temples and their traditions will be targeted. As justice Indu Malhotra ruled, this was not their domain to rule. Any tradition or rules which are not harming anyone should be left alone for the devotees to decide. Reformation if needed has to be taken up by the devotees and not the courts.