Kozhikode: Young Congress leader and Thrithala MLA V T Balram finally broke silence over his stance over the entry of women of child-bearing age into Sabarimala temple. In a strongly-worded post on his official Facebook page, Balram reminded his fellow partymen that their leader is Rahul Gandhi, and not Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar.

The young leader, who is usually eloquent on social and political issues on social media, was severely criticised for his silence on the issue. On repeated queries by Onmanorama about his stance, he had replied that though as an individual, he supports the entry of women, he had limitations in expressing it in public as a representative of the party. Being a secular Congress leader, his silence invited criticism from within the party itself.

However, on Friday, he made his stance clear. “I understand the democratic responsibility of Congress, accepting the feelings of several Ayyappa devotees, though personally I welcome the Supreme Court verdict. This is an opportunity to expose the Sangh Parivar and the state government who tried to divide this secular state with provocations and stubbornness. However, beyond that Congress does not have any responsibility to support the Brahminical or anti-development ideology. Remember, it was Indira Gandhi's Indian National Congress, that stopped privy purse. Those who are representing the party in the channels should have basic knowledge about the ideological legacy of the party. I have informed the same to the KPCC president (Mullappally Ramachandran) also,” he said.

With the public statement of Balram, more Congress leaders with a secular outlook are expected to come out in the open, dismissing the open support against the Supreme Court verdict. Senior leaders like V D Satheesan had expressed his displeasure over the protests taken out by his party.

Mullappally had equated Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to a dictator for trying to implement the verdict and KPCC working president K Sudhakaran was openly praised by the BJP for his support to the protesters.

Last week, Rahul Gandhi had directed the partymen in Kerala to steer clear of aggressive agitation modes against the Supreme Court verdict. He also said that the party should respect the sentiments of women who supported the customary ban on young women in the shrine.

Rahul also told state leaders who visited him in New Delhi to desist from rallying under the party flag to protest the court order. He said that extreme protests were against the values of the party.