Lord Ayyappa not misogynist, let women go to Sabarimala, says Kerala BJP leader

Kozhikode: BJP state general secretary K. Surendran on Friday issued a statement supporting entry of women to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple. Surendran in his Facebook post said that there was nothing to worry about the debate on women's entry to the holy shrine in Sabarimala. He also said that it is better to have the temple open throughout the year to avoid heavy rush at the temple.

“The restriction at the shrine is on women in the age between 10 and 50 years. It is based on the thought that women undergo the menstrual cycle at least once in 41 days. (As per the tradition a devotee has to observe a 41-day vrat to visit the temple). But do the majority of male devotees who visit the temple observe the 41-day vrat? It is found that they do not,” Surendran said.

“Lord Ayyappa is a 'naishtik brahmachari' (ardent celibate). But that doesn't mean that he is a misogynist. One should not forget that deity of Goddess Malikappuram is located close to that of Lord Ayyappa,” he said.

Isn't menstrual cycle a law of the nature. Isn't because of that humans exist in nature? So, that should be considered as something sacred, Surendran wrote in the post.