KANNUR: K Sudhakaran, Congress leader and Lok Sabha candidate of Kannur, came forward with a strong response in connection with women entry in Sabarimala. Customs and rituals are not decided either by the government or the court. The gurus have the right on these things, he said in an interview to an online channel.

Sudhakaran said, “We are obliged to take a strong stand on Sabarimala issue. It is the duty of the congress to protect faith. There is no link between Sabarimala and gender in equality. Aren’t women above 50 going to Sabarimala? Aren’t girls aged ten going to Sabarimala. Then where is gender equality. There are restrictions for women between the age group of 10 to 50 from going to Sabarimala.”

According to the faith of Hindus, customs and rituals are decided by the ‘bhavam’ of the idol. The customs and rituals of that bhavam are not decided either by the government or the court but by its gurus. Years have gone, all these years devotees followed these rituals. Neither the court nor the government has the right to take away that rituals. It should be protected. If they think that this ritual is wrong, then it should be changed not by the government or the court but by the gurus, he said.