Even though the Supreme Court lifted the ban on women entering the Sabarimala Temple in September 2018, the intensity of the controversy surrounding the issue hasn’t plummeted. Recently, two women who entered the temple have been criticized by a vast majority of the devotees.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has always advocated Women’s Rights, was part of the tirade as he made a statement on January 2, calling the entry of the two women into the temple, an “unnecessary, provocative act.”

“I can’t imagine it gave any satisfaction to the women because they didn’t go up the holy 18 steps with the irumudikettu on their heads, which is the way it is supposed to be. So they have not technically conducted a ritual act of worship,” Tharoor said. He added that even though the Congress party is in favour of women’s equality, they are also in favour of respecting the righteousness associated with the religious practices of the country and that certain aspects of religion can’t be argued with logic.

However, the Congress MP’s statement did not go down well with the activists and several citizens who called him out on his regressive and hypocritical proclamation.

Hey @ShashiTharoor... Today's the birth anniv of Savitri Bai Phule. When she opened schools for girls, incl little Brahmin widows, she was branded 'provocative'. Women violating patriarchal laws are always seen as 'provocative'. Unprovocative women never made history #Sabarimala https://t.co/4nEy3jKoeB

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 3, 2019

The convenient liberal https://t.co/rXNrVtWA6Z

— Pooja Prasanna (@PoojaPrasanna4) January 3, 2019

the respect I had for this man when he was representing India in the UNO decreases rapidly every time he talks https://t.co/jbsLipc7k7

— A (@asyounot) January 3, 2019

This is a very disappointing stance Mr Tharoor. In the past there have been instances when women of all age groups were allowed. We must honour SC judgement. #Sabarimala

— arvind (@arvind029) January 3, 2019

His arguments are based on flimsy points and won't hold up at all when subject to thorough judicial scrutiny by Article 17.

— Abhishek Ravindra (@Abhigonibeed) January 3, 2019

. @ShashiTharoor changed his position on #Sabarimala - went from being a liberal who suported the entry of women to a status quoist. I dont agree with him - but you can watch Shashi explain his reasons here & tell me if you do #Mojo #Townhall @TheWeekLive https://t.co/exwv1OT5dF

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) January 3, 2019

Shashi Tharoor had earlier welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the issue last year. The fact that he had come out in support of women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple a few months ago, followed by a statement of Liberalism vs Sanctity, has provoked people to condemn his double standards.