Sad that religious discrimination still exists in 2023: Amala Paul

Amala Paul was denied entry into the Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple in Ernakulam on Monday. The actor was stopped by temple authorities who recognised her, and refused to allow her into the premises as she is not a Hindu.
Alleging that she has faced religious discrimination in a feedback note in the temple’s visitors’ book, Amala later offered prayers from the roadside, and left.
“It is sad and disappointing that religious discrimination still exists in 2023. I couldn’t go near the Goddess but could feel the spirit from a distance. I hope there will be a change in religious discrimination soon. The time will come, and we all will be treated equally and not on the basis of religion,” Amala wrote in the temple visitor’s book.
We were following customs: Manager at the temple
“When Amala Paul came to the temple, with a localite, she was denied entry into the temple as she is not a Hindu. She was informed she would have to pray from outside the temple, and once she finished, she was taken to the office, and given offerings, and payasam. Then, she was requested to leave a remark in the visitor’s book, which is when she wrote about how it was not right to be denied entry even in 2023,” says Kaladharan, the manager at the temple.

“There may have been instances where people of other religions might have entered the temple without our knowledge, but according to the customs, we couldn’t let her in, since we know her as a celeb, and that she is not a Hindu,” he added.
Issue being blown out of proportion: Annice, Amala’s mother
Amala’s mother, who was with the actress when the incident occurred, has said that the issue has been blown out of proportion. She also said that she and her family would like to refrain from commenting, as her daughter has already given a fitting reply to the temple authorities.