KOCHI: All Hindu believers and organisations will unite under the banner of 'Sanathana Samrakshana Samithi' to launch a 'Jallikattu model' protest to resist and stop the move to allow women in the age group of 10 to 50 years at Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Travancore Devaswom Board former president Prayar Gopalakrishnan and activist Rahul Easwar told a press meet here on Thursday. "We will be organising prayer meets and protests in a peaceful and democratic way to resist the move to undermine the spiritual values and centuries-old tradition of Sabarimala, which is a symbol of interfaith harmony in the state. The Hindus are uniting above political and religious differences to uphold the values of 'Sanathana Dharma' and the sacredness of Sabarimala," said Prayar Gopalakrishnan.
He said constitutional bodies should not interfere in the rituals and practices of any religion. The prime Minister and Kerala Chief Minister should intervene to avoid hurting the sentiments of a particular community. The Supreme Court had to withdraw its judgement in the Jallikattu case as the general public and devotees launched a unique protest. The Hindus in Kerala will launch a similar protest to protect their religious rights, said Gopalakrishnan.
He said devotees from 36 countries had visited Sabarimala during the Mandala - Makaravilakku festival last year. The government has a responsibility to protect the religious sentiments of the devotees. There has been a concerted effort to drag Sabarimala into controversies from 1949 onwards when the temple was set on fire by some miscreants.
Rahul Easwar said all member organisations of the Hindu Parliament, an apex body of 108 Hindu organisations have come forward to launch the protest. The protest will be launched after the court issues its judgement. Devotees, including women will launch an indefinite sit in in front of Sabarimala temple to stop women activists who come to enter the temple by force. "We are sure no true woman devotee will try to enter the temple violating the tradition. Only some activists and liberals are trying to incite trouble in the name of women rights. Any body trying to enter the temple by force will be stopped by women devotees," he said.
WATCH: Will fight women's Sabarimala entry in 'Jallikkattu protest' style: Sanathana Samrakshana Samithi
Swami Sivananda Giri, Hindu Parliament general secretary C P Sugathan, Atmeeya Sabha secretary A Hari Narayanan and Ganaka Maha Sabha leader Sumersh Kujmar were present at the press conference.