State government should not take unilateral decisions on the Sabarimala pilgrimage season’: Hindu groups

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – A month is left for the auspicious Sabarimala pilgrimage season on 16th November; various Hindu organisations have come up with strong objections with the decisions taken by the State Government over the entry of devotees amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Hindu organisations supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are of the view that a final decision on permitting the devotees should be taken only after consulting the various concerned including the head priests, Pandalam royal family members, Hindu organisations and devotee service organisations. In a video conferencing meet that was attended by the heads of various Hindu organisations

SJR Kumar, National General Secretary of the All India Sabarimala Action Council said, “The State Government should not take just the views of the Minister concerned and the bureaucrats by forming a committee as such a move is purely unconstitutional. The Secretaries who are currently designated have no connections with the daily affairs of the Temple”.

He added, “In decisions concerning other religions, the State Government made sure that their representatives were taken into confidence where they were given the freedom to choose their customs. However, when it comes to Hindu temple affairs the State Government takes unilateral decisions. This is totally unconstitutional and is an anti-Hindu approach by a democratically elected Government,”

Most of the members in the discussion were of the view that with the coronavirus cases surging, the Government should maximise efforts to discourage the arrival of Ayyappa devotees during the current season as the gathering of thousands of devotees in the Temple premises could pose health risks.

The Government should also consider conducting the essential rituals in such a way that the sanctity of the temple is not affected.