'Many girls will rush to Sabarimala'

Actor Jayamala says a place of worship should not discriminate based on gender.Reacting to the Supreme Court's objection on entry of women in religious places, noted Kannada actor Jayamala who stoked controversy a few years ago by revealing that she had stepped inside Sabarimala when she was 27, told BM that if the ban is revoked, young girls from all over the country would flock the temple to seek blessings. The Supreme Court on Monday sought to examine previous judgements on the entry of women in religious places.

"When I admitted stepping inside the sanctum sanatorium of the Ayyappa Swamy worship place, I did not intend to hurt anybody's religious sentiments, and still do not wish to do so. But a place of worship should not discriminate based on gender. For God, we are all equal and thus no religious place can deny entry to anybody," she said.

To elaborate her view, she went on to say, "Right to Equality is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and I have faith that the SC will abide by it and make a fair judgement on the case."

When asked if she would visit the temple again if the ban is revoked, she said, "I am sure many young girls will rush to seek blessings from one of the most ancient and prominent temples in the country."

The SC on Monday said that any religious practice banning the entry of women will have to pass the test of constitutionality after hearing a plea against restricting menstruating women's entry in the temple. It had said that 'gender discrimination in such a matter is unacceptable'.

The controversy started in June 2006 when a noted astrologer revealed that there were signs of a menstruating woman entering the temple. Following this, Jayamala claimed that she had entered the religious place and touched the temple deity in 1987. A complaint was filed in this regard in the Kerala High Court, which quashed the charge sheet filed by the police.

SC takes stand on temple entry
The Supreme Court on Monday said that any religious practice banning the entry of women in temples will have to pass the test of constitutionality. It had said that 'gender discrimination in such a matter is unacceptable'. The controversy started in June 2006 when a noted astrologer revealed that there were signs of a menstruating woman entering the temple. Following this, Jayamala claimed that she had entered the religious place and touched the temple deity in 1987. A complaint was filed in this regard in the Kerala High Court, which quashed the charge sheet filed by the police.