Protests against Sabarimala order ‘unjustifiable,’ says HC
Kochi:09.11.2018
The Kerala high court on Thursday termed “unjustifiable” agitations launched by various groups against the Supreme Court verdict permitting entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.
Justice Sunil Thomas agreed with the state government’s contention that the protests and the violence that occurred recently at the hill shrine and its key entry points were against the apex court’s directives. “Agitations are unjustifiable,” the court said while dismissing a bail application filed by Govind Madhusoodan of Thrippunithura, who was arrested in connection with clashes with police at Nilackal, near Pamba, when the temple doors were opened for monthly puja last month.
“Agitations caused serious hardships to the devotees. If bail is granted in such cases, that may lead to repetition of similar incidents,” the court said. He was arrested for allegedly blocking vehicles at Nilackal and attempting to assault women devotees. Girls below 10 years and women above 50 have frequently prayed at the Lord Ayyappa temple in the past. However, the entry of women of all age groups has become a sensitive issue after the September 28 SC verdict.
Several journalists were attacked by devotees when the temple was opened for six days on October 17 for the first time after the SC order. Attempts by around a dozen women, including activists and journalists in the 10-50 age group, to script history came to a standstill as protests by devotees forced them to retreat.
On November 6, around 200 devotees tried to prevent a woman pilgrim from entering the hilltop shrine, suspecting her to be of menstrual age, and allegedly attacked a cameraman of a Malayalam television news channel. AGENCIES
TDB seeks explanation from head priest
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s apex temple body has sought an explanation from Sabarimala head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru over the revelation by the BJP state chief that he had consulted him before threatening the closure of the hill shrine if women in the menstrual age group entered it. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Lord Ayyappa temple, however, made it clear Thursday that the procedure was just a formality as the ‘tantri’ had rejected the saffron party's claim. Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu recently sent a notice to Rajeevaru, seeking an explanation from him after the BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai’s claim had triggered a widespread controversy in the state.
“The TDB has full faith in the tantri. He has already rejected in public the BJP chief’s claim and explained his stand. We believe and respect his words,” TDB president A Padmakumar told PTI.
Kochi:09.11.2018
The Kerala high court on Thursday termed “unjustifiable” agitations launched by various groups against the Supreme Court verdict permitting entry of women of all age groups into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.
Justice Sunil Thomas agreed with the state government’s contention that the protests and the violence that occurred recently at the hill shrine and its key entry points were against the apex court’s directives. “Agitations are unjustifiable,” the court said while dismissing a bail application filed by Govind Madhusoodan of Thrippunithura, who was arrested in connection with clashes with police at Nilackal, near Pamba, when the temple doors were opened for monthly puja last month.
“Agitations caused serious hardships to the devotees. If bail is granted in such cases, that may lead to repetition of similar incidents,” the court said. He was arrested for allegedly blocking vehicles at Nilackal and attempting to assault women devotees. Girls below 10 years and women above 50 have frequently prayed at the Lord Ayyappa temple in the past. However, the entry of women of all age groups has become a sensitive issue after the September 28 SC verdict.
Several journalists were attacked by devotees when the temple was opened for six days on October 17 for the first time after the SC order. Attempts by around a dozen women, including activists and journalists in the 10-50 age group, to script history came to a standstill as protests by devotees forced them to retreat.
On November 6, around 200 devotees tried to prevent a woman pilgrim from entering the hilltop shrine, suspecting her to be of menstrual age, and allegedly attacked a cameraman of a Malayalam television news channel. AGENCIES
TDB seeks explanation from head priest
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s apex temple body has sought an explanation from Sabarimala head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru over the revelation by the BJP state chief that he had consulted him before threatening the closure of the hill shrine if women in the menstrual age group entered it. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Lord Ayyappa temple, however, made it clear Thursday that the procedure was just a formality as the ‘tantri’ had rejected the saffron party's claim. Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu recently sent a notice to Rajeevaru, seeking an explanation from him after the BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai’s claim had triggered a widespread controversy in the state.
“The TDB has full faith in the tantri. He has already rejected in public the BJP chief’s claim and explained his stand. We believe and respect his words,” TDB president A Padmakumar told PTI.
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