Karnataka Assembly backs actress Jaimala on Sabarimala controversy

The controversy over Kannada actress Jaimala’s entry into Sabarimala Temple echoed in the Karnataka Assembly with several members cutting across party lines questioning the restrictions imposed on womenfolk from entering the shrine.

Soon after Congress member S S Patil raised the issue during zero hour and urged the Karnataka Government to refer the “insult to womanhood” at the famed Temple shrine in neighbouring Kerala to the Federal Government, several members joined the chorus in support of actress Jaimala.

Patil came down heavily on the management of the famed Sabarimala Temple for barring women aged between 10 and 50 from entering the precincts of the shrine. The ban on entry of women into the Temple was tantamount to “untouchability”, he argued.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President M Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Kerala Government of discriminating against women, particularly a Kannadiga. “I wonder why Kerala, which claims to be a progressive state, is allowing such retrograde traditions”, he said.

Though JD (U) member J C Madhuswamy pointed out that issue pertained to Kerala Government, Kharge insisted that the matter was sensitive in nature and the Karnataka assembly should take up a discussion on the subject.

CPM member G V Srirama Reddy sought to bring to the notice of the House that Dalits in Karnataka were also not allowed in certain Temples. The Government should take steps against this practice as well, he said.

Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha member Vatal Nagaraj accused the Karnataka Government of treating the matter lightly and staged a walk-out from the House to protest the Government’s attitude in the matter. Claiming that the shrine authorities and the Kerala Government were planning to persecute the actress, Vatal Nagaraj urged the Karnataka Government to extend protection to Jaimala from any attempt to initiate action against her.

In view of the seriousness of the subject, Assembly Speaker Krishna announced that he would allow a discussion on the subject in the Karnataka Assembly when the House convenes on Monday.