’Give us more time’
The location where the temple is located witnessed a scuffle between policemen and protestors on Sunday night after which 69 pilgrims were arrested for violating prohibitory orders.
The high court, while hearing a petition on preparations at the temple, observed that the lack of basic facilities and transport posed difficulties to pilgrims. “Why do you need 15,000 policemen in Sabarimala? Police camp in barracks not in ‘nada pandal’, which is a resting place of devotees,” observed the court. The next hearing on the petition will be held on November 24.
In the Supreme Court, the TDB said that though it had asked for more forest land near the temple to provide additional facilities to pilgrims, they couldn’t proceed until objections of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which gives a report to the apex court on any construction activity proposed in a forest region, are adjudicated by the SC. Till such facilities are not provided, the board is not in a position to provide security to the women devotees, the board said.
A Constitution Bench of then Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices Rohinton Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, and Indu Malhotra had, by a 4:1 majority, struck down Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Pub- lic Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965, which was the basis for barring entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 years into the temple. The rule was held as a violation of a woman’s right to practice religion and also the right to equality entitled to her under the Constitution.
Alphons, who was on a visit to the temple on Monday, said: “Devotees are not extremists. The hill temple looked like a fort. This government considers devotees their sworn enemies and gave a free hand to police to tackle them. Even Joseph Stalin will be shamed after seeing this.”
Minister of state for finance Pon Radhakrishnan is expected to visit the temple later this week, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has also announced his plan to visit the shrine.