shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > News > India News > Article > Prohibitory orders in Sabarimala cant be withdrawn Kerala government

Prohibitory orders in Sabarimala can't be withdrawn: Kerala government

Updated on: 06 December,2018 03:57 PM IST  |  Thiruvananthapuram
IANS |

Amid a war of words with opposition members, Surendran informed the House that Section 144 imposed at Sannidhanam (the temple complex) and the premises were not against devotees, but to regulate "anti-socials" who attempted to indulge in violence

Prohibitory orders in Sabarimala can't be withdrawn: Kerala government

Sabarimala

The LDF government in Kerala Thursday made it clear that the prohibitory orders imposed at the Sabarimala temple cannot be withdrawn now, even as the 'Satyagraha' by three opposition UDF MLAs at the state Assembly against the curbs, entered its fourth day.


The lawmakers--V S Sivakumar (Congress), Parakkal Abdullah (Indian Union Muslim League) and N Jayaraj (Kerala Congress-Mani)-- had launched the indefinite 'Satyagraha' on December 3 demanding a lifting of prohibitory orders at Sabarimala and providing more facilities to the pilgrims.


State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said in the Assembly that the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government was not adamant in facilitating the entry of young women at the hilltop temple and it would not have been difficult to take thousands of such women there if it had really wanted.


He was replying to a question on the Sabarimala issue raised by independent MLA and Janapaksham leader, P C George.

The Left government was bound to implement the September 28 Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa shrine, Surendran said, adding they had no plan to bring out any legislation regarding the entry of women of a traditionally barred age group of 10-50 years there.

Amid a war of words with opposition members, Surendran informed the House that Section 144 imposed at Sannidhanam (the temple complex) and the premises were not against devotees, but to regulate "anti-socials" who attempted to indulge in violence.

Referring to the incidents of alleged violence unleashed by the right-wing activists in the garb of protesting against the implementation of the verdict, the minister said the "RSS had run riot in Sabarimala" and the restrictions were to ensure that such incidents were not repeated.

"Pilgrims have not faced any hardship due to the invoking of Section 144 so far. It is not against devotees, but only to regulate anti-socials. There is no way to withdraw the prohibitory orders now," Surendran said.

He rejected the UDF charge that the government had interfered in the functioning and powers of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the apex temple body which manages the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

Regarding the controversy over awarding the 'annadanam' (free meal) contract at Sabarimala to an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) outfit, he said cutting across political lines, several individuals and outfits had been contributing rice and provisions for the scheme.

"The TDB cannot take into account politics while accepting rice for annadanam," he said.

The minister also reiterated the government's stand that the 'tantri' (hereditary head priest) of the Sabarimala temple was one among over 6,000 employees of the TDB.

"The tantri can act only in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Board," Surendran added.

The leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala sought Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan's intervention to end the United Democratic Front MLA's 'Satyagraha', for which the latter gave assurance.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Except for the change in the headline, the story has been provided "AS-IS," "AS AVAILABLE, without any verification or editing from our side. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK