SC didn't take tradition into consideration: Bhagwat on Sabarimala row
Amid ongoing protests at Sabarimala, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said the Supreme Court verdict hasn't taken into consideration the nature and premise of the tradition that has been accepted by society and has given rise to "divisiveness" in society. Bhagwat was speaking in his annual Vijayadashmi address, the last before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Peaceful life cannot thrive living in fear of laws: Bhagwat
"This situation is not at all conducive for peace and healthiness of the society," Bhagwat said. The Hindu nationalist organization chief said questions such as 'Why only the Hindu society experiences such repeated and brazen onslaughts on its symbols of faith?' obviously, arise in the public's mind and lead to unrest. He said peaceful life cannot thrive living in fear of laws and punishment.
Bhagwat says decisions taken without considering all aspects cannot help
Decisions taken without considering all aspects and patiently creating a mindset of the society will neither be adopted in actual practice nor will they help in creating a new social order, in tune with changing times and positions, Bhagwat said. The RSS chief added that the situation arising out of the recent verdict on Sabarimala temple showed a similar predicament.
Bhagwat criticizes verdict, says it has risen turmoil in society
"The version of heads of religious denominations and faith of crores of devotees was not taken into account. The plea by a large section of women, who follow this tradition, was not heard too," Bhagwat noted. Slamming the verdict, he said it has given rise to unrest, turmoil, and divisiveness in the society in place of peace, stability, and equality.
No women have been able to enter Sabarimala temple yet
On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench of the SC, headed by the then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the temple. The iron gates of the temple opened yesterday for the first time, but none from the "banned" age-group could make inside the shrine amid a welter of protests.
Women journalists heckled, young woman devotees forced to return
Women journalists were heckled, their vehicles smashed, and young female devotees turned back by Hindu rights activists, who besieged the road leading to the temple yesterday. A woman journalist of foreign media was today asked to return when she was midway in the Sabarimala Hills.
