Unique Tradition of a Unique Temple is not Gender Discrimination

New Delhi: Reacting on the Supreme Court decision to refer the review petitions on the entry of women in Sabarimala Temple to a larger bench VHP said the unique tradition of a unique temple is not gender discrimination. VHP secretary general Shri Milind Parande said Hindu dharma doesn’t practice gender discrimination and the Sabarimala case is nowhere related to any gender discrimination but in true sense it relates to unique tradition of a unique temple. He hoped that the larger bench would think whether the judiciary should interfere in internal matter of a religion.

Out of many temples of Bhagwan Ayyappa, only Sabarimala has the limited age related restrictions because of its unique nature & traditions. Lakhs of women devotees have faith in the temple tradition and protested in huge numbers in support of it. We are hopeful that the justice would be delivered upholding the religious rights and pious traditions of Hindus, the VHP said.

Meanwhile, the RSS welcomed the SC decision to accept the Review Petition and refer the matter to a larger Constitutional Bench. In a statement RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Shri Arun Kumar said the matters related to traditions and customs are issues of faith and belief. “Restriction on women belonging to a particular age-group to the Sabarimala shrine has nothing to do with gender inequality or discrimination, and that is strictly based on the specialty of the deity. We are of the firm view that the judicial review under whatever pretext in the matter will be violative of the spirit of the freedom of worship guaranteed by our Constitution. And the opinion of concerned authorities should be given paramount consideration in such matters. Sabarimala, the statement said.