yep. that is exactly what allows statements like the following to be made in articles like the one from scroll linked above:Sachin wrote: The biggest mistake which has been happening is that trying to define Hinduism as an organised religion like X'ianity or Islam. This is a fundamental mistake. And the british introduced governance & judicial systems are unable to comprehend that. So we should not try to bring comparison stories in case of Sabari Mala, it would back fire.
the whole article rests upon straitjacketing hinduism as a monolith. i’d imagine that the devotees of ayyappa are using the prescribed sadhana for very specific reasons. in my view, non devotees, even if ‘hindu’ otherwise, really don’t have any business being at the shrineThe element of equality in religion is enforced not by ascertaining what the majority of the believers want, but by ensuring that even a minority within the faith is not excluded arbitrarily.
i wonder how/whether the constitution deals with the issue of ishta (personal) devtas or kula (family/clan) devtas. after all anyone who knows how can literally manufacture a god/deity and use it for his/her specific purpose (usually some aspect connected to personal liberation). the whole process of ‘consecration’ of an object (like an idol) or space (like a temple) seems to be just that. willful desecration of a consecrated idol/temple is such an incredible waste at so many levels