Champa welcomes entry of women in Sabarimala shrine

Noted writer Prof Chandrashekar Patil (Champa) has welcomed the decision of the Kerala government, allowing women of all ages into the Ayyappa Swami temple at Sabarimala.

Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, he said the Kerala government had taken a progressive and rational decision. The Supreme Court too had said that women should not be barred entry into the Ayyappa Swami shrine. After the ruling, violence broke out in Kerala, but the government stood determined in following the Supreme Court order, he said. The decision of the Kerala government should be a model for other states where communalism is ruling the roost, he said.

The Constitution has guaranteed equal rights to men and women and the apex court too has upheld this in its order. By bringing into force the court order, the Kerala government has upheld the Constitutional values, he said.