No ‘Vijay’ for Vijayan? Devaswom Board Mulls Approaching Supreme Court Seeking Time To Implement Sabarimala Order

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has agreed to approach the Supreme Court to seek time to implement the order of allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala. The TDB president M Padmakumar, however, said that the board would take the final decision on Friday (16 November).

This comes after the all-party meet called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan failed to find a consensus after the Congress-led UDF, and the BJP walked out. Kerala BJP chief PS Sreedharan Pillai though conveyed NDA's stand on Sabarimala and lambasted the police action against the devotees by the government.

Vijayan then changed tracks by meeting with Pandalam royal family and Tantri family to propose that the TDB could seek more time from the Supreme Court. However, even after the meeting, the representatives of the royal family stood by their previous stand of abiding by the centuries-old custom only. Kandaru Rajeevaru, the head priest requested women of childbearing age not to visit the hill shrine.

Vijayan later stated that a discussion could be had regarding women’s entry to the temple on particular days.

According to temple authorities, more than 800 women in the prohibited age group have registered online to visit the temple.

On the other hand, restriction orders have been imposed for seven days at Elavunkal, Nilakkal, Pamba, Sannidhanam, and from Erumely to Kanamala.

DGP Loknath Behara said that the Ayyapa pilgrims who visit the Sabarimala Temple, will not be allowed to stay back at the sannidhanam at night after darshan. He, however, clarified that all pilgrims can have darshan before leaving. He also said that due the protests since October, it has been decided to impose ‘reasonable’ restrictions by posting 5,000 police officials.