Congress-led opposition to intensify stir over Sabarimala
‘VIJAYAN HAS MADE A COMPLETE MESS OF THE SABARIMALA PILGRIMAGE SEASON’
With the BJP-RSS going hammer and tongs at the Pinarayi Vijayan government over the way the police is handling the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, the Congress-led United Democratic Front has decided to intensify its protest.
It demanded that the Chief Minister give up the Home portfolio. The Sabarimala temple opened its doors at 5pm on Friday for two months. The temple town has witnessed protests by Hindu groups since September 28 when the Supreme Court allowed women of all ages to enter the temple that had banned menstruating females aged between 10 and 50.
The apex court on November 13 refused to stay that verdict and made it clear yesterday that they would not reconsider this decision as the case has been posted to be heard on January 22.
While the Kerala government is trying hard to see that the apex court verdict is implemented, the opposition parties are up in arms against violation of the temple tradition.
On Sunday night, the police arrested 72 pilgrims after they refused to leave the temple premises as they were singing Lord Ayyappa hymns well beyond the scheduled closure of the temple at 10pm. The UDF meeting decided to first send a team led by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who will reach the temple town today to assess the situation there.
Speaking to reporters here, leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that they will be forced to violate the prohibitory orders that are now in force in and around the temple town. “The prohibitory orders should be withdrawn immediately as there is no need for it. Vijayan has made a complete mess of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season as the police is creating havoc and has turned the temple town into a terror zone. Vijayan has lost control and he should demit the Home portfolio,” said Chennithala.