The Congress president had earlier argued that all women should be allowed to enter the Sabarimala temple.
Dubai: Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier argued that all women should be allowed to enter the Sabarimala temple, on Saturday said he cannot take an “open-and-shut position on the issue as there is validity in the arguments of both the sides.
Speaking at a press conference in Dubai on Saturday, Gandhi said the issue is “much more complicated” and he would leave it to the people of Kerala to decide on the matter.
He admitted that his initial position on the Sabarimala issue was different than what it is today.
“I have heard both the arguments, my initial position was different than what my position is today. After I heard the arguments of people of Kerala, I can see validity in both the arguments that traditions need to be protected. I can see validity in the argument that women should have equal rights. So I would not be able to give you an open-and-shut position on this,” Gandhi said.
“After I spoke to the people in Kerala and the Pradesh Congress Committee team in the state and they explained the details, I realised that the issue is much more complicated and both sides have a valid position. I would leave it to the people to decide on this,” he said.
After the Supreme Court verdict, Gandhi had said that all women should be allowed to enter the Sabarimala temple, noting that his view on the issue was different from that of his party’s Kerala unit.
The Congress in the capital had welcomed the Supreme Court verdict, while the party MPs from Kerala opposed it.
The shrine was out of bounds for girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age. The Supreme Court’s September 28 verdict allowed women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
The southern state witnessed massive protests from the right-wing organisations after the Left-led state government decided to implement the Supreme Court ruling.-PTI
It is sheer hatred of Modi and love of the privileges that the Congress party showers on pliant journalists that makes media treat Rahul Gandhi and the dynasty that he belongs to, with kid gloves. Any rational assessment of this confused underachiever would have resulted him being held to standards that are far more exacting. It is therefore no surprise that this article is a newsfeed and not an opinion piece.
First, as an upcoming politicians he should be seen as a leader practicing value based politics.Second at least he can say he would advise his party to abide by SC verdict whichever way it goes and uphold constitutional values at all cost, even losing power. He can make mark for himself if only he is seen as different from opportunistic conventional politician.
Rahul Gandhi and value based politics?
But rahul gandhi, if he cannot take one side or another, is indecisive. Its one thing to appreciate both sides of an issue, and another thing to not be able to decide for himself what is the correct thing to do according to his POV/philosophy.
Otherwise there is no leadership. He cannot delegate his own POV to anybody else. That means he is evading.