DOES the very presence of a woman pollute places of worship? Can women be allowed into the holiest of temples? These questions form the core of a controversy brewing in Kerala, triggered off by the stand taken by the presiding priests of the Sabarimala temple in Patha-namthitta district. Their contention: The District Collector, K.B. Valsala Kumari, be denied entry beyond the cut-off point for women—5 km from the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa.
The District Collector will not be visiting the temple as a pilgrim. She has been appointed by the state Governor to head a team which will supervise the sanitation and welfare arrangements for the pilgrims during the Sabarimala season between November 17 and December 27. Three crore pilgrims are expected to visit the shrine during this period.
The government’s decision to entrust the arrangements at Sabarimala to a woman is seen as nothing less than sacrilege by the priests. They claim that the very presence of a woman would pollute the sanctity of the temple. Also, they feel that the proposed visits of the collector may set a precedent for other women. Says Maheshwararu Thanthri, the head priest of the temple: "She may be the collector but she is a woman and women are not allowed. If she is allowed today, thousands of others will turn up tomorrow. How can we be sure that women won’t come here when they are menstruating? If that happens, it will be total pollution."
Women are labelled as "pollutors" once they reach puberty and continue to "pollute" till such time they cross the age of 50. Explains Maheshwararu: "Girls below the age of 10 and women above 50 years are free to come here. These rules have been handed down to us. It is not something we have created."
The priests are also irked about the suo motu order passed by the high court last month allowing the collector to perform her duties. Says Valsala Kumari: "I did not approach the court. But it has given me permission." A court order had empowered her to cross the "no-women" zone of the temple last year as well.
However, this year the priests’ protests have become more vocal. While they have not registered an official protest or approached the state government, they predict trouble if the collector carries on with her plans. Though the head priest says he does not wish to act against the court orders, the followers of Lord Ayyappa and Hindu organisations like the VHP and the Ayyappa Seva Sangh (ASS) have already given him indications that they will prevent Valsala Kumari from crossing the cut-off point at Pampa river. Notes Mohanaru Thanthri: "As priests we do not want to politicise the issue, but many people are upset. The VHP and the Ayyappa Seva Sangh are not at all happy".
When contacted, the official spokesper -sons of the VHP and the ASS confirmed that they would protest against the government’s decision. However, they refused to divulge the actual plans. It is clear they are embittered and would like to exploit the issue. Asks an ASS activist: "Why can’t the government depute a male official for the Sabarimala season? Why should there be a woman? Is the government doing this to antagonise the Hindus?"
The state government’s stand is clear. The decision to appoint Valsala Kumari was taken with the approval of the president of the Dewasom Board—the body which takes all decisions regarding Hindu temples in the state. Also, the officials felt that it would be incorrect to succumb to pressure from a section of the clergy with regard to the question about empowering a woman with such duties. Says a senior Dewasom Board offi-cial: "There is no law which states that women cannot go even to the approach path of the temple."
Not surprisingly, Valsala Kumari’s case has invited the wrath of feminists. Writer Kamala Das has asked the government not to allow such "impudence" from the priests. "If the collector is prevented from performing her duties then women’s groups in the state will take up the issue," says Sugatha Kumari, poet and social worker. "It will be a very unhealthy situation if the VHP takes up the issue. Priests and fundamentalist organisations should not be allowed to disobey court orders."
Points out Sugatha Kumari: "When drunken men go to the temple, no one objects. Look at the noise being made over a woman going there to perform her official duty."
Valsala Kumari, however, will not be stepping into the temple or on the 18 steps that lead to the shrine. The youthful and no-nonsense bureaucrat, who does not wish to add to the controversy, says that she will be merely doing her work and stay clear of the temple proper.
The priests admit that the Vishuddhi Sena (Puri-fication Army) that the collector is to head will have a very vital role to play once the season begins. The Sena will be responsible for clearing up the garbage strewn around by the pilgrims besides building temporary toilet facilities, including trench latrines.
The collector’s team has a tough task ahead. But will it be allowed to do so? Insiders say that the priests are trying to garner the support of Hindu organisations to keep Valsala Kumari away from Sabarimala.
Interestingly, women are allowed in other temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the state. However, the shrine at Sabarimala is dedicated to the Lord after he became a brahmachari, according to popular belief. This is the reason why pilgrims have to stay off meat and sex and live austerely for 41 days before going there.
But why this discrimination against women? Some priests say there are practical reasons behind this ban. Earlier, the trek to Sabarimala was fraught with danger and it would have been "unwise" for young women to venture through the forests.
Though the times have changed, there are enough people who still cling to old values. For the average Keralite, Valsala Kumari’s proposed entry into Sabarimala is a non-issue. But once the politicians decide to move in, the situation could worsen. And, maybe, this is what the priests are waiting for.
