Adding fuel to the ongoing controversy over women's entry into Sabarimala Temple, former president of Travancore Devaswom Board Prayar Gopalakrishnan on Friday said that the shrine is not a place for sex tourism.
"This is agenda driven. Police are also involved in it... This is not a place for sex tourism. This is the abode of Lord Ayappa," Gopalakrishnan told media here.
Ever since the doors of Sabarimala Temple opened on Wednesday for the first time to females of all ages, there has been a widespread protest across the state of Kerala.
The Supreme Court had on September 28 announced entry of females between 10 and 50 (in their reproductive phase) years of age to enter into the temple. However, no woman of menstruating age has yet been able to enter the shrine owing to the protests.
Some parts of the state like Pamba, Nilakkal, Sannidhanam and Elavungal witnessed violent protests with agitators resorting to stone pelting and vandalisation.
The doors of the temple will get closed on October 22.