Tribal political leader hails SC verdict on Sabarimala temple

A tribal political outfit, Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP), on Sunday, hailed the recent Supreme Court's verdict to allow entry of women of all ages in the Sabarimala Temple and hoped that it would help tribal women to enter the places of worship, known as 'Jahersthan'.

The historic judgement of the apex court would certainly have its positive impact on the Santhal community as the Santhali women were also not allowed to enter the places of worship (Jahersthan), a statement quoted JDP president Salkhan Murmu as saying.

Murmu and the party's social wing - Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA) hailed the Supreme Courts historic judgement on Sabarimala temple for providing constitutional rights to the Hindu women, who were barred from entering the shrine for several decades, on the pretext of tradition, the statement said.

Santhali women are allowed to enter 'Jahersthan' only once a year during Baha (Sarhul) festival to collect flower from the holy place but not allowed to have 'Sode' (Kichidi Prasad) like their men counterpart, the tribal leader said.

The JDP and ASA had taken up the issue in support of the Santhali women and even opposed to the forces that prevented Santhali women from entering a Jahersthan, he said.

There is no logic or legal reason behind disallowing Santhali women to enter the Jahersthan, Murmu said, adding, illiteracy, superstitions and lack of constitutional knowledge were the reasons behind it.

Murmu expressed hope that no one, including JMM-backed 'Majhi Pargana Mahal' (a religious body of the Santhals), will now stop Santhali women from entering Jahersthan following the Supreme Court's judgement.

The historic judgement will also have its positive impact on forces recently engaged in misguiding tribals on the pretext of tribal system - 'Pathalgadi', Murmu claimed.

'Pathalgadi' is reportedly a practice in which villagers inscribe various tenets on huge stone slabs and ban outsiders in their area.

These Pathalgadi leaders had misguided the youth by claiming that the Adivasi customs, traditions are above the Constitution, which was absolutely wrong, Murmu added.