All are equal before God

The Supreme Court's revolutionary verdict in favour of women’s entry into Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala provides a whiff of fresh air to womenfolk. My humble salutation to the Supreme Court for its dispassionate verdict. I believe that all are equal in the eyes of god. Why should there be a gender discrimination? This gender discrimination shows male chauvinism. I am gobsmacked at the argument of a male devotee that after performing mandala deeksha (40 days undergoing spiritual austerity/penance) one becomes eligible for entry into the temple.

Here one reality is forgotten. The successful completion of mandala deeksha largely depends on the cooperation of women. For doing service, woman is eligible, but she is not eligible to enter the shrine. How unjustifiable practice it is! If we delve into our puranas, women had a dominant role in the spiritual arena. Molla authored Ramayana in Telugu. Was she not a woman? Sabari was fortunate enough to worship and had darshan of Lord Rama.

Was she not a woman? Vengamamba was a devotee of Balaji. Was she not a woman? When there was no restriction to these women for pursuance of spiritual path, why women in the present society are forbidden to enter the shrine? The SC’s verdict is most welcome and an eyeopener to the male chauvinists.