Vasavan says govt stance on Sabarimala consistent; Cong, BJP call it dishonest

## Kerala Government Faces Backlash Over Sabarimala Temple Entry Stance The Kerala government's recent submission to the Supreme Court regarding women's entry into the Sabarimala temple has sparked controversy. While the state maintains its stance on expert consultation for such matters, opposition parties accuse the government of a political U-turn ahead of elections. Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan defended the government's position, arguing that their 2007 affidavit advocating for expert decision-making remains unchanged. However, Congress and BJP leaders have criticized the move, accusing the government of attempting to escape political pressure by shifting its stance. They argue that the government should have addressed concerns about implementing the 2018 Supreme Court verdict sooner to avoid the ensuing unrest. Former BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan called for the withdrawal of cases against those who fought for temple customs, while former State BJP president V. Muraleedharan accused both the CPI(M) and Congress of misleading devotees.