South Connect: Rahul Gandhi changes Sabarimala stance, says let people of Kerala decide

Taking a U-turn on his earlier stance on women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala Temple, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that he sees validity in arguments in favour of the women's rights and the traditions of the temple. Gandhi was speaking at a press meet during his 2-day UAE tour. “I can see validity in the argument that tradition needs to be protected and I can see validity in the argument that women should have equal rights,” he said at the press meet. However, earlier last year, Rahul Gandhi had openly said that he held a different opinion on the issue from that of his party's state unit leaders. He stated that he believed women should not be barred from entering any place, despite the Congress leaders in Kerala feeling otherwise. Reportedly, Kerala MPs wanted to stage a protest outside the parliament over the issue, but former Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi had opposed it. However, in UAE Gandhi also confirmed that he had taken this revised stance after speaking to Congress leaders in Kerala who rooted for protecting the traditions of the Sabarimala temple.