Two women defy centuries-old ban by entering Indian temple

Two women defied a centuries-old ban on entering a Hindu temple in India's southern state of Kerala in the early hours of Wednesday, the state's chief minister said, raising fears of a backlash from conservative Hindu groups.

The women, reported by Reuters partner ANI to be in their 40s, entered the premises of the Sabarimala hill temple, defying local tradition that bars women of menstruating age – between the ages of 10 and 50.

Protesters hold an image of the Hindu deity Ayappa after two women defied custom by entering the Sabarimala temple in Kochi. Reuters

Conservative Hindu groups say they believe women of menstruating age would defile the temple's inner shrine. Local news channels reported the chief priest closed the temple for 'purification' rituals after the women visited.

A video from a local police official posted online by ANI on Wednesday showed two women inside the temple with their heads covered.

The state government defended its decision to protect the women as they went into the temple, saying it was a matter of civil rights.

'I had earlier made it clear that the government will provide protection if any women come forward to enter the temple,' said Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala's chief minister, according to local TV.

In Kerala, the main political opposition warned of protests.

'This is treachery...The government will have to pay the price for the violation of the custom,' K Sudhakaran, vice-president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, said in a statement. Congress is the main opposition party in the state, which is run by a coalition of left-wing parties.

Vijayan said in a televised news conference that the two women, who had previously tried but failed to enter the temple because their way was blocked by devotees, faced no obstruction on Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear how the women on this occasion managed to avoid devotees guarding the temple.

Last year, violent protests broke out in the state after India's top court in September ordered the authorities to lift the ban on women or girls of menstruating age from entering the temple, which draws millions of worshippers a year.

News
Gateway Church founder Robert Morris charged with child sex abuse
Gateway Church founder Robert Morris charged with child sex abuse

Robert Morris, founding pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, was indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma on Wednesday. The indictment stems from allegations made by Cindy Clemishire last June that he sexually abused her over multiple years in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12.

Former Conservative MP has 'no confidence' in assisted dying bill safeguards
Former Conservative MP has 'no confidence' in assisted dying bill safeguards

A Former Conservative MP has "no confidence" in assisted dying bill safeguards

Former bishop gets four years for historic sex offences
Former bishop gets four years for historic sex offences

The former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon has been sentenced to just over four years in prison after admitting sex offences against a young boy.

Why doesn’t the media understand religion?
Why doesn’t the media understand religion?

How can anyone understand our 21st century world without knowing how religious faith impacts global, national and regional events?