Amidst criticism from various corners over state government’s dealing with the Sabarimala women entry issue, the LDF government in Kerala is planning to convene an all-party meet to discuss the measures to be taken at the hill shrine during the upcoming Mandala-Makara Vilakku pilgrimage season.
A final decision on the meeting will be made after the Supreme Court order on the review petition on Tuesday. Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said that the government is likely to convene an all-party meeting to discuss various matters related to the Sabarimala temple.
The state government which has declared that it would implement the SC verdict on women entry, has been facing stiff protests from devotees ~ BJP, RSS and other Hindu organisations and Congress over the issue.
The hill shrine witnessed unprecedented protests when it was opened for five days in October and later for a day in November. A number of women who went to the temple had to go back following protests. The all-party meet is expected to look into all the aspects of this issue.
The government is also facing criticisms over lack of infrastructural facilities at Sabarimala. The pilgrim facilities at Pamba have been completely damaged in the recent floods that ravaged the state.
With the Mandala-Makara Vilakku season set to begin on 17 November, the lack of infrastructural facilities has been a major concern among the authorities and devotees. The Supreme Court is set to consider around 40 review petitions against the Apex Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the hill shrine, on Tuesday. The court’s decision on the review petition will also be taken into consideration, while taking a decision on convening an all-party meeting.
Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Monday said that the government has not yet decided to convene an all-party meeting on the women entry issue.
Speaking to media in Kochi, Balakrishnan said the government has not taken any such decision. “Whatever decision is being ordered by Supreme court on the review petitions, the government will implement it,” Balakrishnan said.