NEW DELHI: The RSS on Sunday voiced strong objection to the practice of restricting women from entering temples and called for a change in the mindset of the temple administrations. The Sangh’s stand comes against the backdrop of agitation by women’s groups who have been demanding an end to such practice in temples like Shani Shingnapur and Triambakeshwar.
The Sangh said due to ‘unfair’ tradition there has been lack of consensus on the issue of temple entry. Such sensitive issues should be resolved through discussion and dialogue and not through agitations, it added.
“Women go to thousands of temples across the country but in some, where their entry is an issue, there is a need to change the mentality. Management of such temples should understand this,” RSS general secretary Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi told the media at the end of the three-day meet of the outfit at Nagaur in Rajasthan.
In tune with changing times, the Sangh changed its trademark khaki shorts to full-length w00d-brown trousers to attract more youngsters. “We always move with the times. We are not rigid,” said Joshi.
In a veiled reference to the recent Jat stir, Joshi disapproved of reservation demands by “affluent” sections of the society and favoured a study to ascertain if deserving backward classes are actually getting quota benefits. He said provisions of reservation made by Bhimrao Ambedkar were for social justice and it should be kept in mind.
On ‘anti-national’ slogans being raised in the JNU campus, he said it was a serious issue and law should take its course without the matter being politicised.
