Every temple has certain stipulations and while believers should abide by them, non-believers should stay away from temples, said Tridandi Srimannarayana China Jeeyar Swamy. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, he questioned why the Supreme Court, which delivered a verdict about women’s entry into the Sabarimala shrine, did not take a similar stance in relation to mosques. He criticised that there is increased political interference in matters pertaining to temples and Shastras. He said it is not right for Supreme Court to deliver judgments that are violative of Shastras. The Constitution has granted everyone some rights and it is up to individuals to avail of those rights without causing any damage to society, he said. “Lord Ayyappa is on a hill. Those who are believers can go and visit him. Non-believers have no business to enter the shrine,’ he said and added that ‘it is not proper for others to interfere in the rights given to Shastras in the Constitution.’
China Jeeyar Swamy also disclosed that a 216-foot statue of Bhagvan Ramanujacharya is being installed in Shamshabad near Hyderabad. The construction of the statue, named ‘Statue of Equality’, in 70 acres is expected completed by May, 2019.
Human rights violations in Sabarimala
There is a serious violation of devotees visiting Sabarimala shrine, the Kerala Human Rights Commission said. It has ordered the Commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board, DG of Police and local Panchayat Secretaries to immediately intervene and to submit a report within two weeks. The Kerala SHRC criticised that there is severe violation of human rights near Sabarimala shrine, Neelakkal and Pamba. The Commission said that human feces were found in the Pamba river and that it indicates complete lack of basic facilities near the shrine.
Meanwhile, situation remained peaceful at the Shrine which opened for Makara Vilakku.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has condemned the arrest of the party state general secretary K Surendran. Surendran was arrested while he was trying to visit the shrine and was remanded to 14 days custody. The BJP held protests at many places across the State opposing the arrest.
