"Certain that BJP led govt will fulfill manifesto promises on

The Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of right wing Hindu outfits in Kerala, Monday said they were certain that the BJP-led government at the Centre would fulfill promises made in its manifesto to protect the customs and rituals of Lord Ayyappa temple.

Samiti leader and president of VHP's Kerala unit S J R Kumar said this, citing the Narendra Modi-led government's decision to implement the poll promise made in the party manifesto on Jammu and Kashmir.

Welcoming the Central government's decision to abolish the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcate it into two separate union territories, Kumar said it was not a "surprise move" as the BJP-led government was implementing what the party had said in its election manifesto.

"The people voted the BJP to power to implement the promises it made in its manifesto", Kumar said.

He said the party has clearly said in its manifesto that its government would make every effort to ensure that the subject of faith, tradition and worship rituals related to Sabarimala were adhered to.

"It has also promised that the party will endeavor to secure constitutional protection on issues related to faith and belief.

So we are certain that the government will take necessary steps to protect the customs and rituals of the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala," Kumar told PTI.

He said the pleas seeking a review of the Supreme Court verdict, permitting women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple were currently under the consideration of the Supreme Court and the government could take a decision only after the Court give its order.

The Supreme Court on September 28 paved the way for entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala.

The five-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in its 4:1 verdict, had said that banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and the practice violates rights of Hindu women.