Actor Amala Paul has alleged that she was denied permission to enter Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva temple in Kerala’s Ernakulam district by the authorities due to “religious discrimination.” The actor visited the temple on Monday when she was allegedly refused darshan by temple authorities, citing customs which allow only Hindus inside the premises. The actor claimed she was refused darshan, forcing her to glimpse the Goddess from the road in front of the temple.
Amala shared her experience in the temple’s visitors register, saying she “felt the spirit even though she didn’t see the Goddess.” "It is sad and disappointing that religious discrimination still exists in 2023. I couldn't go near the Goddess but could feel the spirit from a distance. I hope there will be a change in religious discrimination soon. The time will come and we all will be treated equally and not on the basis of religion," Amala wrote in the temple visitor's register.
The temple administration has been under the scanner ever since the incident came to light. "Many devotees of other religions have come to visit the temple, but no one knows that. However, when a celebrity comes, it becomes controversial," Trust secretary Prasoon Kumar said.
