Kerala CM invites royals, Sabarimala priests for talks on apex court order

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid protests against the Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple, Kerala’s CPI(M)-LED Left Front government on Saturday invited three tantris (supreme priests) of Sabarimala and members of the erstwhile Pandalam royal family for discussions. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will hold talks with them on Monday.

However, on Saturday, scion of the Pandalam royal family Sasikumar Verma and Sabarimala chief priest Rajeevaru Kandararu participated in a protest rally in Changanassery in Kottayam district. This is the first time a high-ranking priest of the shrine and members of the royal family are hitting the streets. The rally was attended by thousands of devotees, especially women, chanting hymns and mantras. Kandararu said he is yet to receive any invitation from the CM. “Feelings of devotees have been hurt. Women are coming up in large numbers saying they will not enter the temple. But some people are adamant that women in certain age-group will be allowed, come what may,” said Verma urging the government and others to see the writing on the wall.

“We will meet all persons concerned and convince them that as an elected government we are duty-bound to implement the verdict of the highest court of the country. Eyeing votes, some parties are fanning trouble. Their mischief won’t succeed,” said Kerala temple affairs minister Kadakampally Surendran.

The Supreme Court had opened the doors of Sabarimala to women of all ages on September 28. Since then, the state has been witnessing a series of protests with the opposition Congress and the BJP supporting them.