Thiruvananthapuram, March 13 – As the polls approach, the Kerala government led by Pinarayi Vijayan has softened its earlier firm stance on the issue of women's entry into the Sabarimala temple.
The state government is preparing to submit a new affidavit to the Supreme Court on Saturday, stating that temple traditions must be protected and that it is willing to reconsider its earlier position on allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine.
Political circles say that this unexpected "about-face" by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is driven by fears of electoral backlash and the strong anger among devotees ahead of the upcoming elections.
Following the Travancore Devasom Board's clear position last month that temple traditions should be preserved, it was certain that the state government would do the same.
The file for the issue is with Vijayan, and the cabinet is scheduled to meet once the official approval is received, and the revised decision will be presented to the Supreme Court on Saturday.
Vijayan, who once insisted on allowing women into Sabarimala under the banner of social reform, is now seen as bowing to the sentiments of devotees.
Until now, the government had maintained in court that it stood firmly by the 2007 affidavit, which supported allowing women of all age groups to enter the temple.
However, in the changed circumstances, the CPI-M, which leads the LDF, had intimated to its allies over the phone about the change in stand.
Critics point out that the same government that once used the police against protesting devotees and pilgrims carrying the irumudikettu is now attempting this reversal with an eye on the same devotees' votes.
As accusations that the government had betrayed the faithful gained momentum, pressure reportedly mounted within the party itself for a correction in the stand.
The government's move to now support the continuation of temple customs in the case pending before the larger bench of the Supreme Court is being described in some quarters as a historic course correction.
Meanwhile, the opposition is preparing to launch a major campaign against what it calls the government's double standards.
Political rivals are mocking the Chief Minister, saying that it is fear of electoral defeat that has pushed him toward a more "devotional" stance.
Critics also say that Kerala is now witnessing the irony of those who once built the so-called "Renaissance Wall" now dismantling it themselves.