Tiruvananthpuram, For all age groups of women to enter into the famous Sabarimala shrine, a top BJP leader in Kerela has come out in support and said, the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is not a misogynist and menstruation cycle is a law of the nature and should be viewed as sacred.

BJP state general secretary K Surendran endorsed the suggestion in a facebook post of keeping the shrine open throughout the year for darshan to reduce the heavy rush during the annual pilgrimage season (November-January).

The 46-year-old leader said, "Lord Ayyappa is a naishtika brahmachari (perennial celibate). That does not mean that he is a misogynist. We should not forget the fact that Lord Ayyappa gave young Goddess Malikappuram a seat just next to him (at Sabarimala)".

"And, is not menstruation a law of the nature? Isn't only because of that the human race exists? So, I think, we should consider it as something sacred," he added.