Sabarimala temple row: High priest wants status quo to be maintained on the issue

Amidst a debate on whether to allow women of all ages to offer worship at the hill shrine of Sabarimala, a high priest of the famous temple on Friday said status quo should be maintained on the matter.

"Status quo should be maintained on the issue. The government should take into account the belief of the devotees while taking a decision on the matter," Kandararu Rajeevaru, Sabarimala thantri, said.

"The belief of the people is important, not controversy. With regard to women's entry into the famed temple, various opinions have emerged," he said.

In this matter, government should be able to take an appropriate decision which protects the interests of devotees, the thantri said.

"Women between the age group of 10-50 cannot be permitted to offer worship at the temple. We have earlier itself stated this in the court," he added.

The thantri's statement comes in the wake of LDF government's view that it stands by its commitment on allowing entry of women of all age group into the Lord Ayyappa temple, situated on the Sabarimala hill top. Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has reiterated that the government stands by its 2007 affidavit which was in favour of allowing entry of all women.