Sabarimala: Women got justice says Jayamala

Karnataka Women and Child Development Minister Jayamala, who stoked controversy some years ago claiming that she had entered the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala, hailed the Supreme Court verdict Friday, allowing entry of women into the shrine.

“There is nothing that has made me happier in life. I thank women, the Supreme Court judges, God and Ambedkar, the author of our Constitution,” the actor-turned-politician said. “We knew this verdict would come, under law and Constitution. I’m grateful to the judges. Women have got justice. This is a historic moment,” she added.

In June 2006, Jayamala was in the eye of a storm when she claimed that she entered the temple in 1986 and even touched the deity’s feet. This, despite women aged 10-50 years, being barred from entering the temple.

In 2010, the Kerala police filed charges against her and others stating that they were involved in “a deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings” under Section 295 of Indian Penal Code.

“Back then, I believed in God and the judiciary. That belief has come true today,” she said, referring to that controversy. Asked about the opposition to the apex court verdict from some quarters, she said: “God will protect.”