Menstruating women are impure; KPCC president's remark sparks controversy

Interim president of the Congress in Kerala, M M Hassan, has courted controversy with his remarks that menstruating women are impure and they shall not enter temples during that period. With the comment becoming a controversy, Hassan sought to clarify that it was not his personal opinion, but he only stated a prevailing social situation.
 

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president made the remark while attending a seminar on 'Media and Politics'. "Women are impure during menstruation and they should not enter temples during the period," he said. A section of women protested against the remark at the venue itself terming it as anti-women. 
 

Following this Hassan said, "My remark is not my own opinion.. I spoke about the social condition prevailing in society. Both Hindu and Muslim women used to keep away from places of worship during the menstruation period. They used to do this on their own. This is the social situation prevailing in Kerala. I just explained this as an answer to a question by a participant," he added.
 

The KPCC president also stated that a section of media distorted his statement. "The question is not whether I am favouring it or not. Right now, this is the political situation," Hassan said. 
 

On a question on ban on the entry of women between the age of 10 to 50 at the Lord Ayyappa temple, he said the political parties are not religious reformers.
 

"Political parties cannot change the customs and traditions prevailing in society. We only respect traditions and customs followed by various religions, he added. 
 

Hassan took over the mantle of KPCC president after his predecessor V M Sudheeran resigned from the post. He was serving as the vice-president. Sudheeran stepped down from the post on March 10 citing health issues.

• M M Hassan
• KPCC president
• menstruation
• sabarimala
• impure women