Devaswom Board to file affidavit on womens’ entry in Sabarimala

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Monday said that it will file an affidavit before the Supreme Court to preserve existing traditions when the court considers petitions related to the entry of women of menstruating age at the hill shrine of Sabarimala Temple. The TDB president K Jayakumar, said the issue of filing the affidavit was discussed at a board meeting held here, and a decision was taken to maintain the current practice. The prevailing practice at Sabarimala restricts the entry of women of menstruating age at the Lord Ayyappa temple.

“The board has no difference of opinion on this. The TDB is constituted under rules that mandate the protection of the temple and its traditions. So, we will contest the decision of the Supreme Court,” he said at a press meet, referring to the women’s entry issue. He said the board’s stand is that the existing tradition regarding women’s entry at Sabarimala should continue. “It has to be informed to the Supreme Court before March 14. We have decided to appoint the concerned persons to inform the court, and a resolution in this regard was taken during the board meeting,” he said.

He clarified that the TDB does not support the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict permitting the entry of women of menstrual age at the temple, but added that whether the judgment should be reviewed is not within the board’s purview. “Advice received by us was to take the matter as a resolution in the board meeting and file an affidavit in court,” he said, adding that the Devaswom has only one stand — that traditions should be protected and followed.

Asked whether the CPI(M) Government held the same position, the TDB president said that the enquiry should be directed to the Government itself. He said the TDB’s earlier stand had also been the same and that the board had not taken any other position in the matter. “Whether a review of the court decision is required does not come under us. We can only explain our stand when the review is considered,” he said.

When asked about the earlier stand reportedly taken by the TDB’s counsel against reviewing the 2018 verdict, Jayakumar said that might have been the counsel’s view, but the board’s policy remains the protection of temple traditions. In 2018, the Supreme Court allowed the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple.

The review petitions are currently under consideration, and the apex court has asked the aggrieved parties, including the state Government, to state their stand before March 14.