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The controversy over the breaking of the <keyword id="6384180" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sabarimala">Sabarimala</keyword> <keyword id="6355287" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Temple">temple</keyword>'s culture and tradition continues to rage and is even now the most discussed election issue in Kerala as seen from the statements of various top political leaders, who came to cast their votes on Tuesday. The <keyword id="6930180" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabarimala-temple-issue">Sabarimala temple issue</keyword> was raised by Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the powerful Hindu Nair community's social and cultural organisation -- <keyword id="378621" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nair-Service-Society">Nair Service Society</keyword>. Soon after casting his vote at Changnacherry in Kottayam district, Nair said what he could sense is that the people in the state want a change in governance and want an outfit which will uphold social justice and secular credentials. "The Sabarimala temple issue continues to rage as believers are angry," said Nair. It was in 2018 that the apex court ruled that the temple should be open to all women irrespective of the age group as until then the temple tradition was that no women in the age group 10 to 50 be allowed entry. Following the verdict, the Vijayan-led government floated a renaissance movement, much to the anguish of the believers of Lord Ayyappa, the deity at the Sabarimala temple, and even went to the extent of providing security to two activist women to pray at the temple by providing <keyword id="6369752" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Police-Security">police security</keyword>. The temple town then became a battle ground after believers in large members resisted attempts by the police to take women in the hitherto banned age group. This temple issue came as a setback for Vijayan in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when he won only one of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala. On Tuesday, after casting his vote at Kannur, Vijayan when asked about Nair's Sabarimala temple issue said, "it's not just Ayyappan alone, all God's are supporting the Left," said Vijayan, who was accompanied by his wife Kamala Vijayan. And then came statements from the Congress leaders who condemned this sudden U-turn by Vijayan. Reacting to Vijayan's sudden love for Lord Ayyappan, Chennithala laughed and said it was strange to hear an atheist's sudden love for Ayyappan. "Vijayan will get the wrath of Ayyappan as he destroyed the sanctity of the famed Sabarimala temple," said Chennithala. Two time former Congress Chief Minister <keyword id="137100" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oommen-Chandy">Oommen Chandy</keyword> said Vijayan's statement will be taken with a pinch of salt by the people as it has no sum or substance. "The first thing he did was to file a fresh affidavit and it was done after withdrawing our affidavit, and it was clear that he was against the existing traditions of the temple. When the apex court verdict came, he said he will abide by the verdict. Soon he led a renaissance movement and when no women came to visit the temple, police forcefully took two women to the temple and the culture and traditions were broken. And on election day Vijayan has made a huge U-turn and this would be dismissed by every devotee as nothing but a bluff," said Chandy and added the Congress-led <keyword id="6361745" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="udf">UDF</keyword> will win a resounding victory. Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.Muraleedharan laughed at the statement of Vijayan and said it's high time that the CPI-M be wound up as their ideology has been thrown out of the window. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/restaurants-in-maharashtra-are-staring-at-a-slow-death-as-another-lockdown-threatens-to-kill-their-business/articleshow/81924727.cms">Maharashtra restaurant owners fear the current lockdown could be the final nail in the coffin for their business</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/earth-isnt-the-only-planet-with-rain-and-it-could-be-the-key-to-finding-a-habitable-planet-outside-the-solar-system/articleshow/81926108.cms">Raindrops on other planets could be key in search for life beyond the solar system</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tcs-hcl-tech-infosys-q4-earnings-preview-and-guidance/articleshow/81908765.cms">Record breaking quarter for Indian IT services is a given ⁠— all eyes are now on guidance</a>

Sabarimala temple continues to be an election issue in Kerala

<ul><li>“Essential” religious practices will be termed as “unconstitutional” if they discriminate on grounds of <keyword id="6360838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="caste">caste</keyword> or sex, the SC said. </li><li>The apex court evoked the fundamental right to equality and Article 25(2) to give this verdict in the <keyword id="75061" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabarimala-Ayyappa-temple">Sabarimala Ayyappa temple</keyword> case. </li><li>The temple did not let women between the age of 10 to 50 years, enter its premises. However, SC said that it was unconstitutional. </li></ul>The Supreme Court has recently given the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/essential-religious-practices-if-biased-can-be-struck-down-supreme-court/articleshow/65141215.cms">judgement </a>that “essential and integral” religious practices can be struck down if they are biased. The apex court said that practices were “unconstitutional” if they discriminated on grounds of caste or sex and that the fundamental rights would be upheld against them. Thus verdict was announced when the SC was hearing petitions challenging the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple’s custom of barring women, between the ages of 10 and 50, from entering the temple. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, called upon <keyword id="2598255" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Article-15">Article 15</keyword>, which establishes the Fundamental right to equality, and <keyword id="4535312" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="article-25">Article 25</keyword> (2), which bestows a duty on constitutional courts and governments to act against any religious practice that is discriminatory towards women. The senior advocate and former attorney general K Parasaran, who was the lawyer appearing in the court on behalf of the <keyword id="378621" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nair-Service-Society">Nair Service Society</keyword>, an organisation created for the upliftment and welfare of the Nair community, argued that the temple does not discriminate against women, entirely. It lets women below the age of 10 years and above the age of 50 years enter the temple. He further added that Lord Ayyappa, in whose honour the temple was built, is a celibate pristine God and therefore, fertile or menstruating women are not allowed to enter the premises. The argument caused a halt in the bench’s desire to test the temple’ customs in terms of the constitutional provisions. However, the court soon decided to reply by quoting Article 25 (2) which says that legislature can enact a law to provide for "social welfare and reforms or throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus". The judges also added that this article applies to all religious institutions and not just Hindus. Though Parasaran acknowledged it, he also argued that the Constitution preserves the Fundamental Right that protects the practices and customs which are integral to a religious denomination. In response, the judges pointed out that if the practice or custom is biased, like barring a certain group from entering the temple, the legislature is empowered by the Constitution, itself, to enact a law and throw open the temple to everyone. And since, untouchability and discrimination on the ground of sex are prohibited under the Constitution, the Sabarimala Temple custom of barring the entry of women of a certain age group could also fall foul of constitutional ethos or could be termed unconstitutional, the jury declared.

Essential and integral religious practices can be overruled if they are biased: SC

Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the <keyword id="453325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sabarimala-temple">Sabarimala temple</keyword> is located in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. One of the most popular pilgrim sites and thronged by a huge inflow of devotees from all over the world, this centuries old temple boasts a lot of interesting facts including the following, which you might not know. The Lord killed the demoness Mahishi in this place Mythology says this place is where the Lord killed the demoness Mahishi. Incarnating from the powers of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Ayyappa killed the demoness Mahishi at this place. Mahishi was the sister of Mahishasura, the demon who was earlier killed by goddess Durga. Number 18 is the highlight of this temple There are 18 steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. These 18 gold plated steps of Sabarimala have a deep religious and spiritual significance. Also, Sabarimala is located amidst 18 hills of mesmerizing natural beauty that are found clad with green vegetation. Austere life for 41 days The devotees of Lord Ayyappa observe a strict kind of austere life for 41 days before visiting the temple. The main aspects of life during this period include celibacy, vegetarian diet, avoiding the cutting of nails and hair and sleeping on the floor without comforts. It is said that this practice exists for more than 1,500 years. The preparatory phase to visit the temple also has a strict dress code that requires the devotees to wear black or blue or saffron colored dresses. The devotees wear some garlands made of Tulsi plant beads in their necks and Vibhuti and sandal paste on their foreheads. Connections with Islam Sabarimala has strong connections with Islam as there is a temple dedicated to Vavar, a Muslim Sufi saint. Though the exact history of Vavar is not known to us, mythology says he assisted the local prince who came in search of the Sabarimala temple a few hundred years back. There is a mosque dedicated to Vavar in the vicinity of the temple. The temple has an official song Every day before the closing of the temple, a melodious song that has 108 words set in 8 stanzas is recited in front of the main deity. This song was composed by Srinivasa Iyer who sang this song in front of Ayyappa for many years. The name of this place has its roots in the Ramayana During the times of Ramayana, there lived an ascetic woman named Sabari in this region. She was doing a strict penance for several years only to see Lord Sriram. Finally Ram visited her and accepted her humble offerings. The hill got the name Sabarimala after this historical character. Holy bath with ghee is highly auspicious to the main deity The holy bath given to the main deity is called as Neiyyabhishekam. This is done with the ghee carried to the temple by the devotees who observe fasting and use emptied coconut shell to carry the ghee to the temple bundled in the same color cloth that the devotees wear during the 41 days austerity period before visiting the temple.

Unknown Facts About Sabarimala Temple

Kochi, May 14 () State-run telecommunications company,BSNL, has ordered compulsory retirement for its employee andactivist Rehana Fathima, who had attempted to enter the LordAyyappa temple at Sabarimala, for her "intentional" act ofoutraging the religious feelings of devotees through socialmedia posts. Fathima, a Telecom technician with the BSNL, wassuspended from service following her arrest in November 2018for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through herFacebook posts.Condemning the decision, the activist said she wouldchallenge the compulsory retirement order issued to her by thecompany at the appropriate forum.Talking to reporters, she alleged politicalintervention behind the decision.In its order issued to Fathima, the company said ittook the decision after conducting an internal inquiry on herconduct. The company said there were many agitations againstentry of women into the temple during the Sabarimalapilgrimage season in 2018 and during this period, Fathima A S,"being a woman BSNL employee conducted herself in a mannerthat had resulted in a criminal case being filed against herand her subsequent arrest." "An official working in BSNL is always expected toconduct in the best interests of BSNL. Hence, such acts on the part of Fathima A S aresubversive of discipline and amount to misconduct," thecompany said in its order issued to Fathima. "I find that the acts on the part of Fathimawere intentional and not accidental," Deputy General Manager(Tax/ITA and Urban) said in the order. The activist was arrested in Pathanamthitta in2018 on a complaint that some of her Facebook posts hurtreligious sentiments. Considering the protest against her by devoteesof Lord Ayyappa and BJP activists, the BSNL had earliertransferred her to the Palarivattom telephone exchange in thecity where public contact is not required. A controversy had erupted in Kerala afterFathima made an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple when itwas opened for monthly puja in October, 2018 following theSupreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age groupof 10-50. Fathima, who was also part of the 'Kiss of Love'movement in Kochi in 2014 against alleged moral policing, wasamong the two women who had reached the hilltop on October 19but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum due tomassive protests by Ayyappa devotees. Fathima and Hyderabad-based journalist Kavithawere taken to the hills under heavy police protection. On September 28, 2018 the apex court had liftedthe centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual ageinto the shrine. The decision was challenged by devotees. The Supreme Court has formed a nine-judgeConstitution bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde to hearthe issue of allowing women and girls of all ages to enterSabarimala temple, along with the other contentious issues ofalleged discrimination against Muslim and Parsi women. TGBBNWELCOME TGBBNWELCOME

BSNL compulsorily retires employee-woman activist who tried to enter Ayyappa temple

Kochi, May 14 () State-run telecommunications company,BSNL, has ordered compulsory retirement of its employee andactivist Rehana Fathima, who had attempted to enter the LordAyyappa temple at Sabarimala, for her "intentional" act ofoutraging the religious feelings of devotees through socialmedia posts. Fathima, a Telecom technician with the BSNL, wassuspended from service following her arrest in November 2018for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through herFacebook posts.Condemning the decision, the activist said she wouldchallenge the compulsory retirement order issued to her by thecompany at the appropriate forum.Talking to reporters, she alleged politicalintervention behind the decision.In its order issued to Fathima, the company said ittook the decision after conducting an internal inquiry on herconduct. The company said there were many agitations againstentry of women into the temple during the Sabarimalapilgrimage season in 2018 and during this period, Fathima A S,"being a woman BSNL employee conducted herself in a mannerthat had resulted in a criminal case being filed against herand her subsequent arrest." "An official working in BSNL is always expected toconduct in the best interests of BSNL. Hence, such acts on the part of Fathima A S aresubversive of discipline and amount to misconduct," thecompany said in its order issued to Fathima. "I find that the acts on the part of Fathimawere intentional and not accidental," Deputy General Manager(Tax/ITA and Urban) said in the order. The activist was arrested in Pathanamthitta in2018 on a complaint that some of her Facebook posts hurtreligious sentiments. Considering the protest against her by devoteesof Lord Ayyappa and BJP activists, the BSNL had earliertransferred her to the Palarivattom telephone exchange in thecity where public contact is not required. A controversy had erupted in Kerala afterFathima made an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple when itwas opened for monthly puja in October, 2018 following theSupreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age groupof 10-50. Fathima, who was also part of the 'Kiss of Love'movement in Kochi in 2014 against alleged moral policing, wasamong the two women who had reached the hilltop on October 19but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum due tomassive protests by Ayyappa devotees. Fathima and Hyderabad-based journalist Kavithawere taken to the hills under heavy police protection. On September 28, 2018 the apex court had liftedthe centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual ageinto the shrine. The decision was challenged by devotees. The Supreme Court has formed a nine-judgeConstitution bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde to hearthe issue of allowing women and girls of all ages to enterSabarimala temple, along with the other contentious issues ofalleged discrimination against Muslim and Parsi women. TGBBNWELCOME TGBBNWELCOME

BSNL orders compulsory retirement of employee-woman activist who tried to enter Ayyappa temple

<ul><li>Thousands of women came together to form a human chain and stand up against the patriarchal traditions of the <keyword id="453325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sabarimala-temple">Sabarimala Temple</keyword> in the southern Indian state of Kerala. </li><li>The 620 km ‘Women’s Wall’ pledged to uphold ‘Renaissance values’ and to ‘stand for the equality of women’. </li><li>The chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan and the state’s health minister, KK Shylaja, were also a part of the peaceful protest. </li><li>The event is being dubbed a historic moment for feminist politics, not just in the state, but in India.</li></ul>Not just the general public, but politicians and celebrities alike, rallied together as the New Year began on January 1 to <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/womens-wall-in-kerala-vanitha-mathil_in_5c2b47d8e4b0407e90858ba2">stand up against</a> the patriarchal norms of <keyword id="6384180" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sabarimala">Sabarimala</keyword> temple, where women of all ages were recently allowed to enter as per the Indian Supreme Court’s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/supreme-court-of-india-lifts-ban-women-of-all-ages-can-now-enter-sabarimala-temple/articleshow/65993339.cms">judgement</a>. The ‘Women’s Wall’ stretched across 620 kilometers, which is thrice the length of Singapore’s coastline, passing through all the districts of Kerala — a southern Indian state and the location of Sabarimala Temple. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The 15-minute event is being perceived as a ‘defining’ movement for feminist politics in the country where progressive Hindu organisations also came to give their support. The men also formed a wall parallel to the ‘Women’s Wall’ to show their solidarity towards gender equality and women’s rights. The participants of the ‘Women’s Wall’ made a pledge at the event which read, “We are taking the pledge that we will uphold Renaissance values, we will stand for equality for women, we resist the attempts to make Kerala a lunatic asylum, and we will fight for secularism.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 The peaceful protest was organised by the ruling party, CPI(M) and included members from more than 176 other socio-political organisations. The resistance Even when the Sabarimala Temple was originally deemed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/protestors-flock-as-this-indian-temple-finally-opens-its-gate-to-women/articleshow/66257966.cms">open to women of all ages</a>, protestors flocked to its gate in resistance. The original ‘traditions’ dictate that women between the ages of 10 to 50 years are barred from praying at Lord Ayyappa's shrine. Since October, the local tribal community, devotees and local organisations have wreaked havoc by not allowing women of childbearing age to get past the temple’s gates. Any women who have tried to ream past the mob in order to enter the temple has either had to turn back due to fatigue from fighting off the protestors, has been cut off from the gates from being outnumbered, or had stones thrown to keep them from progressing. The local police have been trying to aid the women trying to trek up to the temple, sometimes even in riot gear, but hasn’t had much luck. According to the state’s chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, two women did break through the gates and <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sabarimala-temple-live-updates-shrine-shut-for-purification-after-2-women-enter-1971269">prayed at the temple</a> — but immediately after, priests shut down the hill shrine to perform ‘purification rituals’. India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, appears to have taken the side of the conservative protestors. In an <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-ani-interview-triple-talaq-sabarimala-issue-smita-prakash-1421336-2019-01-01">interview</a> with ANI, he pointed to the fact that certain temples do not allow the entry of men, though he did not cite any specific examples. His political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has previously spoken out against the Supreme Court’s decision in favouring women’s equality. Even Amit Shah, the current spokesperson for BJP, has come out to <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1056133606186409990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1056133606186409990&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F01%2F01%2Fasia%2Findia-kerala-chain-intl%2Findex.html">state</a> that the fight in Kerala is one between the ‘people of faith’ and an ‘oppressive’ state government. Here are some pictures from the one of the largest human chains in the world- 
	
	
	<div type="Slideshow" msid="67414637" hostid="261" title="In photos: The great ‘Women’s Wall’ that erupted an Indian state to fight for gender equality" firstImageMsid="67414638" slideCount="8"></div>

‘Women’s Wall’ thrice the length of Singapore’s coastline is standing up against patriarchy in India

<ul><li>The Supreme Court’s verdict to allow women of all ages to enter the <keyword id="453325" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sabarimala-temple">Sabarimala Temple</keyword> came into effect today.</li><li>During the past week, protestors and the local tribal community have flocked to the shrine in order to protest the verdict and prevent women from entering. </li><li>While the law was passed to propagate equality, the locals cite that it’s encroaching their <keyword id="63214" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-freedom">religious freedom</keyword>.</li></ul>The Sabarimala temple finally opened its doors to women today but they’re are being <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/two-women-devotees-reach-sabarimala-temple-sent-back-by-protesters-1933319" data-type="tilCustomLink" style="">turned around</a> before they can even reach the gates. The verdict passed by the Supreme Court last month allowed women of all ages to worship Lord Ayyappa's shrine citing Article 14, that everyone should be equal before the law. But the matter at hand seems to be pivoting from equality between genders to religious freedoms and tribal rights. On the ground, the local tribal community along with their supporters have been gathering to protest. So far, women have been turned out at the base of the hill where the temple is located and stones have been pelted at cars approaching with women on board. Even the women police that’s been deployed in the area are facing backlash for doing their duty. What seems to be the problem? The Sabarimala temple is the pivotal place of worship for the tribal community living in the Attathodu area where the shrine is located. According to the chief of the tribal community in the region, VK Narayanan, the issue is that the restrictions that have been placed on women of a certain age as a part of their customs. He added that considering menstruating women ‘impure’ is a Dravidian custom. Even before Wednesday, many organisations were citing disruption and ‘mass suicides’ as a likely outcome if women of menstrual age are allowed to enter the shrine. This isn’t the first time that India has had to face a crisis of conscience where the choice is between bringing about equality or upholding tradition. Triple Talaq, up until recently, was legal in India. Having been cited as ‘unconstitutional’ it was abolished in 2017 highlighting that such a tradition was not integral to religious practice. (Image source: IANS)

Protestors flock as this Indian temple finally opens its gate to women

As the annual pilgrimage season is progressing at Sabarimala, the Kerala government is making all efforts to make it a "green" affair by avoiding plastic articles and promoting the use of eco-friendly products. The use of plastic carry bags and other such articles by the pilgrims had raised serious environmental concerns during the previous seasons at the hill shrine, nestled in a reserve forest in the ecologically fragile Western Ghats. Titled "Mission Green Sabarimala," the initiative, which aims at strictly enforcing the green protocol at the shrine and its premises, is being implemented by the Suchitwa Mission, the state's nodal agency for sanitation and the local civic body. A 24 x 7 counter has been opened at the Chengannur railway station, the nearest on the way to Sabarimala, for the distribution of eco-friendly cloth bags, authorities said. They can exchange the plastic articles and accept 'thuni sanchi', (cloth bags), from there, free of cost, they said. Besides this, post-cards, with messages urging not to abandon plastic articles or clothes in the holy river Pampa are also distributed among pilgrims. The cards, brought out in five languages, also have details of the rituals of the shrine, they added. The temple is witnessing a heavy rush of pilgrims and over seven lakh Ayyappa devotees had offered darshan at the shrine since the opening of the temple on November 16 for the two month long Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrim season.

Kerala govt bans plastics to turn Sabarimala pilgrimage a 'green' affair

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 12 (): Days after it reopened for devotees following the 75-day lockdown, the famed Lord Krishna temple at Guruvayoor on Friday decided against allowingworshippers from tomorrow in view of the rising COVID-19 cases. The shrine had opened onJune9 after the centre unveiled 'Unlock 1.0',its graded exit plan from the COVID-19 lockdown, allowing malls, restaurants and places of worship to open across the country after they remained out of bounds since March 25. Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran told reporters thatthe government decided to close the temple for devotees from tomorrow, taking into account the rise in the coronavirus cases in Thrissur district,where the shrine is located. . "The Guruvayoor temple authoritieshave decided not to allow devotees into the temple from tomorrow. However, the two weddings,which were decided earlier, will be allowed to be conducted," he said. . Chavakkad, an area near Guruvayur, and a panchayat near the temple have been declared as a containment zone. After considering all these circumstances, the temple authoritiestook the decision to close the temple,he said. However, the daily rituals will be held. Yesterday, the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala had also decided against allowing worshippers when it opens for the monthly pujas on June 14 after the thantri (priest) shot off a letter to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), against allowing devotees in view of the rise in coronavirus cases in the state in the past one month. . The annual festival, which was to be held from June 19, had also been postponed. The Padmanabha swamy temple here will open for devotees only after June 30. RRT UDBN WELCOME WELCOME

Citing rising COVID-19 cases, Guruvayoor temple also decides not to allow devotees

Thiruvananthapuram, June 11 () Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday appreciated the religious leaders who have decided not to open the places of worship considering the COVID-19 situation in the state and said it was the best decision to be taken in this scenario. Vijayan was responding to a question with regardto closure of Sabarimala temple after it was decided to open it from June 8 and to conduct the festival from June 19. He said those who are rejoicing now saying the government decided to close the temple needs to understand that the state government was following the centre's directions. "A central minister questioned the state government and asked why we were opening the liquor outlets while keeping the religious places closed. We were just following the centre's guidelines in this matter," Vijayan said. He said on May 30, the centre issued an order saying certain activities can be allowed from June 8. "The centre said religious places and places of worship for the public can be opened. Later a detailed guideline was issued on how to open such places. We just followed that. But, just imagine, if the state government had decided not to open the places of worship despite the centre's guidelines, then, what would have been the situation? I feel that they were expecting that," Vijayan said. He said the state government has discussed the matter with all the stakeholders in this matter and agreed to open the places of worship following protocol. "Now, most of theplaces of worship had decided not to open. We do not have any kind of opposition in that matter. That was the best decision to be taken considering today's scenario.I appreciate them for that matter," Vijayan said. State Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran had earlier in the day informed that devotees will not be allowed to offer prayers at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple, when it opens for the monthly pujas from June 14. The shrine has been out of bounds for the worshippers since March 24, due to the coronavirus induced lockdown. The 10-day temple festival from June 19 has been postponed for the second time. It was to have been held in March this year, but had been deferred due to the coronavirus situation. The government's volte face came a day after temple thantri shot off a letter to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) against allowing devotees in the shrine as the positive cases in the state was on the rise. Devotees from southern states also visit the hill shrine in large numbers. Union minister, V Muraleedharan had earlier attacked the state government after it allowed re-opening of temples from June 9, saying it was a "hasty decision". The decision not to allow devotees to the hill shrine when it opens on June 14 for the monthly poojas was taken at a meeting called by Surendran in which Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, N Vasu and temple priest Kandararu Mahesh Mohanararu participated. The government had earlier decided to allow devotees from June 14, when it opens for the monthly puja and the 10-day festival from June 19. Earlier, Surendran said the TDB had sought the opinion of the Thanthris of Sabarimala and declared that they have agreed to the opening of the shrine. Various temples under the TDB opened on Tuesday along with some churches and mosques in various parts of the state. While the famed Lord Krishna temple at Guruvayoor opened its doors by following the various norms laid down by the government, the Padmanabha Swamy and Attukal temples in the state capital were among those which remained shut. RRT BN WELCOME BN WELCOME

CM appreciates religious leaders decision not to open places of worship due to COVID-19 situation

Kochi, Jun 30 () BSNL has served a notice asking controversial activist and its dismissed employee Rehana Fathima to vacate from its residential quarters here, citing the recent police raid on her house and registration of a POCSO case over a video posted by her on social media. The police action has 'tarnished' its image, the state- owned telecom major said. Fathima, who made a vain bid to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in 2018, was booked last week after she posed semi-nude in front of her minor children, allowing them to paint on her bare body and sharing the video on social media. Police on June 25 had carried out a search at her house in the BSNL quarters at Panampilly Nagar as part of the probe in the case registered under various sections of POCSO Act and the IT Act by the city police. The case was filed based on a report filed by Cyberdom, the cyber wing of Kerala police, for posting an "offensive" video titled "Body and Politics" on social media. "The above event tarnished the image of BSNL. Hence you are instructed to vacate the quarters within 30 days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which further proceedings will be initiated for eviction", said the June 27 notice, copy of which has been made available to media. As she ceased to be a BSNL employee, Fathima was ineligible to occupy the company quarters, it said. Fathima was sacked from employment by the BSNL in May this year for her intentional act of outraging the religious feelings of devotees through social media posts. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights had earlier sought a report from police on the video matter and said case should be registered against the woman under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The activist has last week moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest in the POCSO case. After the Supreme Court allowed women in traditionally barred age groups of 10-50 into the Sabarimala temple in September 2018, Fathima made an attempt to enter the hill shrine, but had to retreat following protests by Hindu activists and devotees. TGB VS VS

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