Amidst the row over the entry of women into the inner sanctum of the Sabarimala temple, the Kerala government has sought a public referendum on whether to allow women of all age groups to enter the shrine.
The government has said that a consensus on the issue was more important than court orders and the government will not take any decision that would hurt the sentiments of the people.
Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said, "There should be public referendum as far as entry of women in Sabarimala is concerned. I do realise that the matter is pending in SC but I feel that the opinion of people matters more."
The government was also prepared to call an all-party meeting to discuss the issue, he said, adding it would not impose its views on the people on the matter.
The government had already made it clear that it would not take any decision that would hurt the sentiments of anyone on the issue of entry of women of menstrual age in the temple.
Women between the age group of 10-50 are banned entry in the temple, which attracts lakhs of devotees.
The minister said the Malabar Devaswom Board is facing an acute financial crisis and added that the increase in rates of various poojas (vazhivadu) in temples would be re-examined.
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