In an effort to assuage feelings of both the contrasting factions, the erudite Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has claimed that the Congress party stands in solidarity with the devotees fighting to preserve the sanctity of the Sabarimala shrine, as well as the communist government’s overzealous endeavour to implement the Supreme Court order.
Presidential address by @INCKerala chief @MullappallyR on #Sabarimala. My liberal friends frame the issue as being about equality; believers see it as an issue of sanctity. @INCIndia stands unconditionally for equality but also firmly with the believers. pic.twitter.com/km2GfVoh0K
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 15, 2018
The Congress leaders, right from the start have been prevaricating on the issue, confusing and confounding the electorate, the liberals as well as the devotees. Within a week after the SC verdict of lifting the ban on women entry in the temple, some Congress leaders staged a one-day fast to oppose the verdict.
Meanwhile, the Congress ally CPI(M) has been moving heaven and Earth to implement the apex court’s order. From using violence against the devotees to contemplating of airlifting women to the shrine, the communist government has done everything in its power to somehow put into effect the court’s order but have against the resolute determination of peaceful devotees. Even the HC expressed its displeasure against the use of violence on Sabarimala devotees.
On one hand, Congress backs Pinarayi Vijayan’s communist government which is unleashing brute violence to suppress the agitation by peaceful devotees whereas, on the other hand, they claim they stand with the gender equality right of every woman to enter any place of worship. This glaring duplicity by Congress is abominable.
The Congress needs to understand that it can’t have it both way. Either they are supporting equality or the sanctity of the temple traditions. Waxing convoluted eloquence won’t help them in concealing their hypocrisy. Shashi Tharoor will do well to understand that in their efforts to please both the sides they might end up being caught between the two stools.
