Kerala CM vows to protect devotees' rights, blasts Congress, BJP


Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 (IANS): Declaring that the Kerala government will protect the rights of all Sabarimala devotees, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday accused the BJP and Congress of trying to destroy the state's secular fabric by politicising the issue.

Addressing a meeting organised by the CPI-M here, Vijayan went hammer and tongs against both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The Congress has joined the BJP in trying to drive a wedge between the devotees and the government and they are trying to break the secular tradition of our state," he said.

On Tuesday morning, after presiding over a cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister vowed to protect the rights of the devotees when it was pointed out that vehicles on way to Sabarimla were being checked by those opposed to the Supreme Court ruling also allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the famed temple.

Two women journalists were stopped from proceeding to the temple town.

The protesters had gathered at Nilakal, about 20 km from the foothills of the temple, located at Pampa.

"Such a thing cannot be accepted. No one can take law into their hands. The government will ensure that nothing of that sort happens. Those who want to pray cannot be stopped," said Vijayan.

"We have already made this very clear that we will abide by whatever the apex court verdict is. Now that the verdict has come, we will implement it."

Congress President Mulapally Ramachandran on Tuesday declared that the party won't object to any woman coming to the temple but wished that this does not happen.

"The Vijayan government is trying to make the Sabarimala issue into a conflict zone. The BJP is also trying to make this into another 'Ayodhya' issue but they are going to fail badly. The need of the hour is for the Centre to come out with an ordinance," said Ramachandran.

State BJP president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai expressed full support to the protesting believers.

"Sabarimala temple has its particular set of traditions and culture. We will fully support all those who want the traditions to be kept like that and we will be with them," said Pillai.

On Tuesday, hundreds of devotees, including a large number of women, protesting against the Supreme Court ruling, gathered at Nilakal and started checking all vehicles bound to the temple town.

The temple opens on Wednesday at 5 p.m. for the customary monthly pujas.

The protesters are said to be mainly locals and others who have arrived from nearby areas.

Meanwhile, the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB), the custodian of the temple, on Tuesday met the Pandalam royal family, representatives of the Sabarimala Tantri family and other Hindu organisations to see how best the controversy can be resolved but the deadlock continued.

"We demanded that the TDB should file a review petition today itself, which they said was not possible. So we felt that there was no reason to go ahead with the meeting," said Sasikumar Varma, a member of the Pandalam royal family.

TDB President A. Padmakumar told the media that they were willing to undertake more talks and all issues would be discussed at a meeting on October 19.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalore

    Wed, Oct 17 2018

    Faith and trust of the devotees to be safe guarded at any cost.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr.S.Kamath, Mumbai

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    I am amazed at the response of CM
    He is talking about SC verdict.But not mentioning what did the Govt gave affidavit statement to the Hon SC
    Govt could have filed a review petition .He didn't
    Now sea of Kerala Devotees of Sri Ayyappa Swamy are seen protesting against endy of women aged between 10 to 50
    Being a CM he should have brokered peace but instead chose the path of conflict and conflict and conflict
    Only one sentence
    ವಿನಾಶ ಕಾಲೇ ವಿಪರೀತ ಬುದ್ಧಿ for CM of Kerala

    DisAgree [10] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Francis, Shirva/UK

    Wed, Oct 17 2018

    Dr Kamath, it is not a one sided decision by Supreme Court, court listen to both parties and gave enough time to put your arguments. It is absolutely political drama to get advantage from this issue, people from Kerala and neighbouring states have great respect on Shabrimala temple. Politics and politicians should keep away from the religion, then everything will go smooth.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • PEDDA GUNDOO, MANGALURU

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    Its a victory of people emotions towards their beliefs !

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India.

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    BJP has morally bankrupt party. They have no ethics except create the unnecessary issue and try to get the political mileage, always by brining religion polarisation. Naxalites , maoists are far better than these people in incite disturbances amongst the religion for their selfish ends.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sharan, BENGALURU

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    Ancha saadig balla.....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    Why political parties are so vocal about this issue and deeply involved in freedom of religion and worship of citizens. Those who oppose SC verdict oppose Indian constitution too and are anti nationals. Ideal case to slap sedition charges on all these protesters.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, BENGALURU

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    LOL. We can oppose SC's verdict too. Please read constitution 1st.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Tue, Oct 16 2018

    What stopped you to do since so long instead you are resorting to illegal means. Are you conceding defeat or red carpet to arrive??????.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse


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