Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asserted that the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution were above religious beliefs.
His statement came after an all-party meeting to forge a consensus on the Supreme Court’s Sabarimala verdict had ended in a stalemate 24 hours before the temple opens for the peak pilgrimage season.
Later in the day, the possibility that an attempt may be made to buy time emerged.
The Devaswom board, which runs the temple administration, is said to be mulling the option of approaching the court to seek time to implement the verdict that allows women of all ages to enter the shrine. The state government is unlikely to stand in the way if the board does so, local media reported.
The Opposition described the all-party meeting as a “wasted opportunity” and a “drama”, saying Vijayan should have adopted a more conciliatory approach.
The Congress-led UDF and the BJP both insisted the government seek time and defer the implementation of the verdict till the court had heard a raft of review pleas on January 22.
Vijayan made it clear constitutional rights must prevail over religious beliefs. “We have to realise that fundamental rights are above beliefs,” the CPM leader said.
Thursday’s all-party meeting came two days after the top court had agreed to review on January 22 its September verdict but declined to stay the order.
The chief minister suggested only women pilgrims be allowed on certain days to avoid any kind of conflict situation. But the Opposition parties shot down the proposal.
But the custodian of rituals and the representative of a royal family associated with the temple sought time to discuss the suggestion.