Government prepared for opinion poll on women's entry at Sabarimala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI(M) led LDF government was prepared to conduct an opinion poll on whether to allow entry of women of all age groups inside the famous Lord Ayappa temple at Sabarimala, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, said here today.

"Government is prepared to conduct an opinion poll on the entry of women of all age group at Sabarimala. A consensus on the issue is more important than court orders. A political decision on the matter will not help", he said at a meeting of officials of various Devaswom boards here.

The government was also prepared to call an all-party meeting to discuss the issue, he said, adding it would not impose its views on the people on the matter.

The government had already made it clear that it would not take any decision that would hurt the sentiments of anyone on the issue of entry of women of menstrual age in the temple.

Women in the age group of 10-50 are banned entry in the temple, which attracts lakhs of devotees.

The minister said the Malabar Devaswom Board is facing an acute financial crisis and added that the increase in rates of various poojas (vazhivadu) in temples would be re-examined.