President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in an address at Kannur, Kerala has come out in strong support of the devotees of Lord Ayyappa and slammed the Left government in the state over its highhandedness in dealing with the dissenters of the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages in the Sabarimala Temple.
#BREAKING — Raise your hands in respect of Lord Ayyappa: @AmitShah addresses rally in Kerala. pic.twitter.com/68CAWYatIi
— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 27, 2018
Karyakartas of the BJP will be standing beside the devotees of Lord Ayyappa like a rock in the battle to defend the tradition of Sabarimala, Shah has assured. Shah has also condemned the arrests of the devotees by the Kerala government in the past few days which included many BJP karyakartas.
Today in Kerala a struggle is going on between religious beliefs and state Govt’s cruelty. More than 2000 activists and workers from BJP, RSS and other orgs have been arrested. BJP is standing like a rock with devotees, Left Govt be warned: Amit Shah in Kannur. #Sabarimala pic.twitter.com/nPPoUFHIKx
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2018
Shah remarked upon the diversity of Hindu traditions where there are many Temples that do not permit the entry of men. He has reiterated the fact that entry into Sabarimala is not related to equality in any manner and emphasized on the historical reforms undertaken by the Hindu community for the empowerment of women such widow remarriage, banning child marriage among other things.
“I also ask even courts not to impose verdicts that are not practical. How can you sacrifice belief of over 5 crore devotees? Hindus never discriminated against women. In all festivals, wife sits and takes part with the man. Hindu belief and customs vary in different regions. There are many temples where only women are allowed. It is particular temples customs.” Shah said.
Pinarayi Vijayan was reminded of the many court judgments that were not implemented by the state government by Amit Shah. Shah also accused him of committing atrocities on the devotees on the basis of the judgment. He said, “I tell the communist government, there are several judgments that have never been implemented: Jallikattu, Dahi Handi, loudspeakers in mosques, the opening of the chamber of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. You have never implemented any of these judgments, why this one? Don’t unleash your force on pious devotees.”
Shah also remarked upon the inherent contradictions between Article 14 and Articles 25 and 26. He said, “Article 14 was applied but Article 25 and 26 gives me the right to practice my religion. How can one fundamental right negate another fundamental right of mine?”
The BJP President also advised the communist government to focus on providing flood relief to those affected instead of cracking the whip of devotees of Lord Ayyappa. Shah ended his speech with chants of ‘Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa’ and ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.
Supporters of the BJP have wanted senior leaders of the party to speak up in favour of the traditions of Sabarimala for quite some time. At Kannur today, Amit Shah’s entire speech revolved around the matter. It is also pertinent to remember that the Communist government is expected to incur losses in future elections due to its massive crackdown on devotees.
