The decision had enraged conservative Hindu groups, sparked protests and drew the Supreme Court into the controversy in what is still a deeply religious country. Many devotees refused to abide by the ruling and subsequent attempts by women to visit the temple were blocked. In the ruling on the Sabarimala temple, the court has not issued a stay on its previous decision, effectively allowing all women to continue to visit the shrine, which is thronged by millions of devotees every year. In some parts of South Asia, menstruating women are commonly forbidden from entering temples or taking part in religious rites. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling lifting the ban last September, about a dozen women attempted to enter the shrine, but only two succeeded in making it to its inner sanctum.

Source: bd News24 November 14, 2019 11:03 UTC