Alappuzha: The SNDP Yogam will be part of the “women’s wall” to be formed on January 1, 2019, said its general secretary Vellapally Natesan. “The initiative will promote mutual trust and cooperation among people. Everyone should take part in the programme irrespective of their political affiliations,” he said.
According to Vellapally, he supports the devotees on the Sabarimala issue. “But Sabarimala issue and renaissance should not be examined through the same lens,” he said.
“The Yogam will take part in any meeting to discuss matters related to renaissance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Yogam Council decided to adopt all measures to make the wall a success. Two women members were entrusted with the task of coordinating the activities in this regard. These decisions were taken unanimously by the full Council, said Vellapally.
He also said that the Council did not discuss the Sabarimala issue. “We believe that no young woman devotee would go on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala,” felt Vellapally.
Yogam vice-president and BDJS chairman Tushar Vellapally said that the stand of the BDJS, the political party backed by the Yogam, on the women’s wall was not discussed at the Council for obvious reasons.
The BDJS has been on a warpath against the government, along with its ally BJP, on the issue of women's entry into the Lord Ayyappa temple of Sabarimala. The decision to form a 'women's wall' was taken at a meeting of organisations having the legacy of Kerala renaissance, convened by the Kerala government. The CPI(M)-led government has been presenting the Supreme Court verdict allowing entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala temple as a continuation of the Kerala renaissance. The Nair Service Society (NSS), which was also invited to the meeting, however skipped it. The NSS is also opposed to implementing the Supreme Court verdict saying it would lead to violation of age-old customs of the temple.
