Change, Yes! Change is the only constant. I am sure none of us will disagree this.
Some changes are very small, they are not even felt. Some are slightly bigger, we feel the difference, but that does not warrant attention. Some are huge, they disrupt things around us, we stop and take notice and care to react. Some are humongous, and revolutionary. They question the norm of today, challenge us, create a new normal. That's the way we as a society have evolved.
One may wonder why am I saying this. What is happening in Kerala, specifically in Sabarimala is a revolutionary change. It challenges a current belief/faith, which we believe has been in place from times unknown. Practically it hails from a High Court order of 1991. The change is due to a Supreme Court order, a court above the High Court which gave the previous prohibitory order on women between the age of 10 and 50 entering the Shrine. The order succeds a triple talak order by the same court.
The irony here is that the Central Goverment follows the Triple Talak order in letter and Sprit, even over does what the order demands and brings in a statute. The later order, of Sabarimala is opposed conveniently. The fact that the Government of the day is right wing, is bigoted or irrational may be incidental.
The state government though decides to welcome the order and follow it, in letter and spirit.
What flows now, is my understanding and my view on the issue and the tragedy that followed.
There are two sides to this issue supported by two political ideologies. One who welcomes - right wing(BJP+), believes the order is Anti Temple, Anti Hindu and Anti Religion. They vehemently oppose the order (atleast in the state). The other thinks they are the ones entitled to bring the revolutionary change and does all that is possible and more to implement the order - the Left(CPM+). Is it so simple?
BJP - wanting electoral space, which it could never garner in 71 years of independence, in the State is trying to play politics of support to Hindus. It got a Ram Mandir like opportunity to incite Hindu conscience and convert that into votes and seats. The Left, in a bipolar state, wants to retain the position it has, or to widen it, as it is its last Bastion after having lost West Bengal and Tripura and having been reduced to a regional party. The Congress in the middle looks like a child lost in Kumbh mela (not knowing what to do).
The Left had no business to Sponsor visitors(activists) to Sabarimala. It failed miserably multiple times. That, kind of hurt them and dented their image. The current CM who is known for is Ego, may not have taken this easily. What followed, was a slow down, a change of stand by the Devaswam Board and a Women's wall! They thought that getting the women out to stand in the scortching afternoon Sun could bring Revolution all of a sudden. It was then Pre countered by the Right, by a another show of strength in the form of Ayyappa Villakku, women stading with lamps, thankfully that was in the evening.
The left though followed it up with a midnight coup and got two sponsored women to enter the Shrine. This was the kind of activity that only they can do, and have done. Having lost the face in a perception battle, the Right went on a rampage on the same day and the next day holding the state to ransom.
Both are playing cheap politics over an issue that is close to the heart of a normal Hindu. Both are going to pay the Price!
The court order was not to get some women between 10 and 50 to enter the Shrine somehow, at the earliest; by hook or crook. It was in fact, not to stop it anymore. Similarly, it was not for all women to enter, but not to stop those who want to enter by their own wish. Both sides missed this and messed up big time.
As far as I see, women of all age should start entering the Shrine. Afterall, we claim to be part of a progressive society. Why discriminate women? Until recently, I was against women entry, but I realised that it had to change. After all, these women are our own mothers, sisters, wifes or daughters. How can they be untouchables? How can they be discriminated? How can they be denied of the freedom to pray, which is the same for them as for us 'constitutionally'?
The Right need to understand that the Change is inevitable. It will happen with or without their will. It is for them to come out of their partriarchial mindset and to allow women, the space they deserve. The Left need to understand that this cannot come overnight, and definitely through such coups. It is not a matter for their supremo to satisfy his Ego. It is a matter of faith and therefore needs to be handled with care. For the Congress, they need to realise their role and come out with a stand that justifies commonsense.
What has happened is that the Left have played it into the hands of the Right, who have mastered the art of religious politics. Albeit, this is Kerala and they will have to sweat blood to get us Keralites to fight each other.
It is for every Malayali to understand that we have been pioneering Social Revolution in this country, we will do it now and in future. Allow the changes to happen and understand that it is a part of life.
To believe that we bhakts have to protect Ayyappan is the biggest folly. A true bhakt has to accept that what ever is happening, is with the will of the Lord himself. Our god is not so impotent, that he cannot stop two women from entering his Shrine if he wished so. The fact is he does not wish so.
Last but not the least, the very biological process that gave birth to Us, the MEN, cannot and must not be used as a reason to discriminate the women.
This is the time for change, a change that is Revolutionary. Let us all help that cause, atleast gracefully allow that to take place. It is "time-up" for Misogyny and Partriarchy in our society. Let's Change, Change for the better!
