Kerala CM accuses Centre of vindictive attitude over Wayanad relief
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday criticized the Central government for allegedly denying financial relief for the rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide survivors.
In a setback to the LDF government’s move to hold discussions with the Pandalam royal family and temple tantris (priests) and to reach a consensus on the entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala temple, the tantri (chief priest) of the temple on Sunday said the tantri family will not attend the conciliation meeting called by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the 28 September Supreme Court verdict that threw open the temple to all women.
“Let us hear the final decision of the state government with regards to the filing of a review petition against the apex court’s verdict. Once that is known, then we will decide on what needs to be done. To deploy female police personnel in the temple premises is a violation of the temple practices,” Sabarimala tantri Kantararu Mohanaru told media persons.
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The Tantri family, which guides the customs and rituals at the Ayyappa temple, and the Pandalam palace that is closely linked to the legend of the Sabarimala deity, have rejected chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s attempts to reach out to them.
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The two families decided not to have any dialogue with the chief minister after consultations with the Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G Sukumaran Nair at Changanassery on Saturday. Sources said Sukumaran Nair had advised them not to go for the talks unless the government allows the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which was a party before the Supreme Court, to file a review petition.
It is learnt the executive committee of the Pandalam palace is meeting at Pandalam on Sunday evening to discuss the latest developments. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had decided to hold talks with the tantric family and the Pandalam royal family here on Monday.
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