Sabarimala row: UN Secretary General's spokesperson says UN wants all parties to "respect rule of law"

United Nations: Noting that the Supreme Court in India has ruled on the issue of women entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said the world body encourages all to respect the rule of law. “As you know, this is an issue on which the Supreme Court of India has commented. So, we will leave the matter in the hands of the rule of law authorities in India. Of course, we want all parties to respect the rule of law, and you’re aware of the UN’s position and its fundamental position on the equal rights of all people,” deputy spokesperson for the Secretary General, Farhan Haq told reporters at his daily press briefing on Friday. Haq was asked about the UN’s position on the Sabarimala situation in the wake of the widespread violence in Kerala over the entry of women into the hill-top shrine. [caption id=“attachment_5564551” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of devotees entering the Sabarimala temple. PTI[/caption] When he was asked by a reporter whether not allowing women to enter the temple was a violation of human rights, Haq reiterated that the UN “obviously” encourages all people to respect the laws of the country. When asked if the UN’s position on equal rights for women also applies to other religions such as Islam or Catholicism, Haq said, “It applies across the board…The question is how that is to be carried out. In this case, like I said…ultimately, this is a question on which the courts have pronounced themselves, and we encourage respect for the rule of law.” Kerala has been marred with violence since the afternoon of January 2 after two women of menstruating age managed to enter Sabarimala temple. The shrine was out of bounds for girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age. The Supreme Court’s 28 September verdict allowed women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The Sabarimala row has been witnessing massive protests from the right-wing organisations since the Left-led state government decided to implement the Supreme Court ruling.