Govt not to interfere in religious rites, rituals: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 1: Kerala Health and Social Welfare Minister P K Sreemathy today told the State Assembly that the government had no intention to interfere with the rites and rituals associated with any religion.

Replying to a Calling Attention by Mr K M Mani (Kerala Cong(M), the Minister said the State Women's Commission had not made any recommendation suggesting the state government to ensure that girls who want to become nuns are at least 18 years old.

Though newspaper reports in this regard had come to her notice, there was no formal request from the Commission, she said, adding the Commission reportedly made such a remark on the basis of a complaint it received.

Raising the issue, Mr Mani said the Commission's remarks were misleading as the rules on how a girl became a nun was based on the canon law.

The question of initiating any minor girl as a nun did not arise as the actual process of entering nunhood began only after 21 years of age.

He demanded action against Commission Chairperson D Sreedevi and others for making such misleading statements.

UNI