When Kerala’s rural development and minorities minister KT Jaleel visited the hilltop temple at Sabarimala, a first by a Muslim minister, it ruffled a few feathers, particularly of the BJP.
Former BJP state president V Muraleedharan on his Facebook page wondered aloud if the visit was a “photo opportunity for Jaleel?”.
“It is not correct if Jaleel went to Sabarimala thinking it is a picnic spot and used it to serve his own selfish political ambitions.” The shrine draws millions of pilgrims, from almost all southern states, to its abode.
Jaleel, a former IUML leader who quit the party to join the Left Democratic Front, told Outlook: “The Sabarimala pilgrimage is a celebration of religious affinity. Why are they afraid that the world will know that anyone can go there?”
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“It is a one and half hour arduous climb but I was determined to climb it. There are no restrictions to who should visit there. Everyone was happy and I was welcomed there,” said Jaleel.
“At the bottom of the final 18-step- climb to the shrine, on the right hand side is the Muslim Vavar’s shrine. Vavar and Ayappan swami were friends. I want to resurrect that friendship that have been celebrated for centuries.”
Jaleel took a swipe at the fundamentalists that have come to occupy religion. He said in Kerala, religions had broadness and the practitioners were much more spiritual than the present religious minded.
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“The Islamic fundamentalists and the Hindu fundamentalists have made religions very rigid and closed. It is part of the commercialisation of religion. This is happening in all religions.”
