Not a single woman could gain entry into the Ayyappa Swamy temple premises at Sabarimala on the first day on Wednesday by the time the darshan hours closed by 10.30 p.m.

This was despite arrangements made by the Kerala Left Democratic Front government to implement the Supreme Court’s order permitting entry of women devotees in to the temple.

LDF Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has warned of stringent action against anybody who tries to obstruct women who come to have darshan at Sabarimala temple. But not enough arrangements were obviously taken on day one of opening of the temple for monthly puja ceremonies.

As a result, the women devotees coming there to enter temple were not allowed by anti-apex court order protesters who have support from BJP, Congress and other political parties. The political leaders are not venturing to go against superstition considering the long-term negative impact of such a move on their vote banks.

The whole world watched with curiosity how the Left government was going to uphold women’s rights in this instance. Travancore Devasthanam Board has been strongly opposing court order saying they will do anything to protect their centuries-old tradition ie not allowing entry for women aged 10 years to 50 years.

The Kerala government would have used this historic opportunity to repel protesters by making preventive arrests even if it means arresting thousands of them. The women devotees were pushed back and not allowed to move closer to the temple by these religious zealots. Sadly, there were more women activists of these groups who were opposing court order.

Whatever is the reason, women are yet to enter Sabarimala temple premises to break the superstition. It is wrong to say that these women have failed. In fact, it is LDF government which has failed.