Tempelstyrelsen announces that they will follow the supreme court ruling after months of protests and violence, where tempelföljare have prevented the women from visiting the place, writes Reuters.
It has stormed all around one of the creative holy temple, Sabarimala temple in Kerala in southern India, since the indian Supreme court in August last year ruled that freedom of religion should apply to all and there shall be no discrimination on grounds of sex.
in India that forbade women in the menstruating age (10-50 years) access, a tradition that has existed for several hundred years.
Despite the ruling, chose the temple’s board of directors to oppose women’s access. They have been prevented from visiting the temple, which led to demonstrations and unrest in the area. Conservative hindu groups have surrounded the temple and blocked the entrances to the holy site.
In October of last year culminated in the protests when tempelföljare who opposed the supreme court’s decision clashed with 500 police officers outside the sacred area. Both temple visitors and journalists were attacked, and the demonstrators threw stones at buses.
communist coalition a demonstration in which women formed a wall by the state in protest against the discrimination. The wall stretched according to the organisers over 620 kilometres and gathered around 5 million people.
In the beginning of January, and even managed two women to enter the temple through a personalingång. The temple’s high priest, who earlier claimed that there is evidence that the ”positive energy” can become contaminated by the menstruating women, responded with closing the temple for ”purification”.
Sabarimala is considered by believers to be a resident to Ayyappan, a god, living in celibacy, and represents that which grows, and which attracts millions of people every year. According to demonstrating conservative groups, it is against the Ayyappans like to allow menstruating women in the temple.
the indian supreme court several decisions were considered controversial.
the Decriminalisation of homosexuality and adultery, and the decision of the court of the temple in Kerala, has by many been seen as victories for equality between the sexes and a growing women’s movement, but also met with resistance from religious and conservative groups, mainly in rural areas.
Read more: Controversial decisions by the supreme court of India.