The issue of women entering the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala has once again sparked political and social debate. A recent video showing young women in police uniform walking inside the temple premises has gone viral, leading to criticism from Hindu groups and opposition parties. The Kerala government, led by the Communist Party (LDF), is now under pressure to clarify its stance and respond to growing public concerns.
Background
The Sabarimala temple traditionally restricts entry to women between the ages of 10 and 50, based on religious customs. In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that women of all ages should be allowed entry, but the decision faced strong resistance from devotees and religious organizations. Since then, the issue has remained sensitive, with political parties and temple authorities often taking cautious positions.
Recent Controversy
The latest controversy began when a video surfaced showing four young women in uniform walking inside the temple complex. The footage, shared widely on social media, was accompanied by criticism that the Kerala government was violating temple traditions. Tamil captions in the video mocked the restriction, saying “Education will take us wherever we want,” adding fuel to the debate.
Kerala communist government breaking Ayyappa Temple rules to allowing young women inside temple pic.twitter.com/k4nkwH7CwL
— महावीर जैन, ಮಹಾವೀರ ಜೈನ, Mahaveer Jain (@Mahaveer_VJ) December 25, 2025
Political Reactions
- Hindu organizations like the Thantri Samaj, NSS, and SNDP have demanded that all pending cases related to women’s entry be withdrawn before the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam.
- The BJP has asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to retract its earlier support for women’s entry, calling it a betrayal of temple customs.
- The Kerala government, however, stated that it has not changed its position and respects the sentiments of devotees.
Public Sentiment
Many devotees feel that the temple’s traditions should be preserved, while others argue that gender equality must be upheld. The issue remains deeply emotional for Ayyappa followers, especially during the pilgrimage season.
The Kerala government is walking a tightrope between legal rulings and religious beliefs. With the Global Ayyappa Sangamam approaching, tensions are rising. Whether the government will act to calm the situation or face further backlash remains to be seen. For now, the debate over women’s entry into Sabarimala continues to divide opinion across Kerala and beyond.
