THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has come down heavily on Sabarimala temple thantri Kandaradu Rajeevaru for closing the temple for purification rites after two women of menstrual age entered the temple and had darshan of Lord Ayyappa on Wednesday.

“Thantri’s action is a challenge to Supreme Court verdict that allows entry for all women in Sabarimala. The Supreme Court has said that civil right is above tradition. Ban on young women in Sabarimala is an old tradition. Many changes have come to old traditions.
Thantri who is bound to obey the apex court order has acted against it by closing the temple and performing purification ties. There was no need for such rites. It is contempt of court and further action will be taken against thantri based on legal advice,” he said.