But the 62-year-old spiritual leader also said that the sentiments of devotees should be respected.
Hindu activists hold placards bearing the image of Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan and shout slogans outside Kerala State house, during a demonstration over two women entering the Sabarimala Ayyapa temple in Kerala. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar appealed for peace and restraint in Kerala where Hindu devotees and supporters of various political parties have taken to the streets against the state government after two women under 50 entered the Sabarimala temple.
While appealing for peace, the Art of Living founder said, “When the Sabarimala matter is subjudice, no action should have been taken that would cause heartburn and turmoil in our society.”
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In a statement issued on Friday, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “It’s a pity that Kerala, a state known for progress and communal harmony is burning. I call on everyone to keep calm and restrain from the acts of violence.”
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He said that all parties should wait till the apex court gives its decision on the review petition.
“We have to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision on the review petition. When the Sabrimala matter is subjudice, no action should have been taken that would cause heartburn and turmoil in our society.”
“While Kerala has not left any stone unturned for women empowerment, the temple traditions and sentiments of devotees should be respected,” the 62-year-old spiritual leader added.
On Wednesday, two women managed to sneak into the temple before daybreak which led to the priest closing the temple for ritual purification.
The apex court had on 28 September lifted a ban on women between the ages of 10 and 50 from entering the temple triggering massive protests by thousands of devotees in the state.
On Thursday, 3 January, a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk hartal was called by Hindu outfits.
Protesters blocked vehicles and burnt tyres in Kozhikode. Auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers could be however seen plying in Thiruvananthapuram and a few other places.
The protest was called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various Hindu groups. The Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP) extended its support to the hartal.
The hartal had the backing of the BJP, too, while the Congress-led UDF observed a “black day” on Thursday.
There was widespread violence in the state as a number of CPI-M offices came under attack.
In several places in the suburbs of the state capital, it was a free for all as rival factions took on one another.
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