BJP wants ‘nada’ closed to women

Kozhikode: BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday claimed that Sabarimala chief priest — or tanthri — Kandararu Rajeevaru had consulted him before announcing that the latter would close the sanctum sanctorum, if any woman entered the Sree Dharmashastha Temple premises.
“The tanthri called me from another phone. He was a bit disturbed and confused,” Pillai said after inaugurating a state committee meeting of Bharatiya Janatha Yuva Morcha here.

The BJP leader said the tanthri wanted to know if such a decision would amount to contempt of court.

The Supreme Court had on September 28 delivered its verdict, allowing women of all ages to visit the hill shrine.

Pillai, also an advocate, said he had assured the tanthri that such an act would not attract contempt of court charges. He also assured that the tanthri would not have to fight alone.

“I told him that thousands (of people) will stand with him (facing the same charge). The tanthri’s statement perturbed the government and police,” he said.

“I think he will take a similar stand again on the issue,” the BJP leader said.

When contacted, tanthri Rajeevaru refused to confirm or deny Pillai’s statement. “I am not aware of any such development (Pillai’s speech). Such reports may be there, but it's not right on my part to comment, and I don't wish to comment. No comments,” he said.

The tanthri had on October 19 said he would close the sanctum sanctorum — or nada — if women entered the temple. He made the statement after two women, Rehana Fathima and Kavitha Jakkala, were escorted to the ‘nadappandal’, some 500 metres near the temple. The tanthri’s stand was then condemned by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM.

Addressing a news conference earlier, Pillai said 12 leaders from UDF and LDF—including a former district president of the SFI,in Pathanamthitta would join BJP on Monday.

(With inputs from Kochi bureau)