New Delhi: Giving a new direction to the Sabarimala movement at the national level, All India Sabarimala Action Council organised the ‘Indraprastha Ayyappa Jyoti’ at Connaught Place on the evening of January 21.
Expressing solidarity with the Ayyappa devotees in Kerala, thousands of devotees lighted Ayyappa Jyoti at Connaught Place Inner Circle.
Chanting Ayyappa mantra, the devotees called for the protection of temple traditions and customs. Despite adverse weather conditions, women in large number thronged the inner circle. Women devotees also carried placards reading, “Save Sabarimala” and other slogans, urging the state and public to save Hindu traditions and customs.
Speaking to media, the organisers of the event said that the event saw the participation of around ten thousand women devotees, belonging to diverse linguistic background. “As far as Sabarimala tradition is concerned, it has nothing to do with gender discrimination. It is rather a self-imposed restriction observed by the women devotees. Every restriction is not gender discrimination. Diversity is the soul and beauty of Indian culture and our temple traditions,” they added.
Prajna Pravah national convener Shri J Nandakumar was also present on the occasion. Speaking to Organiser, he said, “The Sabarimala verdict has far-reaching implications as it is not just about the Sabarimala temple but all localised temple traditions and customs across the country. The argument of constitutional morality should not be used to target unique Hindu worship systems which are premised on non-codified traditions.” The All India Sabarimala Action Council also organised a seminar and brainstorming session called ‘Citizens Meet to Save Sabarimala Traditions’ in New Delhi a couple of days ago.
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