By IANS
Kollam (Kerala) : Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi Friday said that all believers should be allowed to enter temples, but desisted from commenting on the entry of women into the famed Sabarimala temple where it is restricted.
“With regard to entry of women of all age groups to Sabarimala, I would like to reserve my comments because if I make any statement then I would be branded a feminist,” Amma, as she is popularly known, told reporters here at her ashram.
Women in the age group 10-50 are not allowed to enter Sabarimala.
Recent discussion about allowing non-Hindus to enter the famed Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor had also kicked up a furore in the state.
Amma had invited the media to her ashram for the launch of two new projects that would help the children of farmers from Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh who had committed suicide as well as their families.
Farmers had ended their lives due to the failure of crops and the burden of debt.
“It would provide free education to 30,000 children all over India. The children of poor farmers or those who were forced to discontinue their education due to the lack of funds will receive priority. Children who lost their parents or were abandoned by them will also be considered for this project. Children of all castes between the ages of 10 and 15 who are studying in government schools will be eligible to apply for this project,” said Amma.
The children would receive a stipend every month, subject to their performance in studies, until they complete their education.
She also said the ashram has decided to impart training in skills required for cottage industries to 5,000 women from farmers’ families.