THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan MLA on Saturday said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s arrogance is the root cause of the friction at Sabarimala, following the Supreme Court’s nod for lifting curbs on women’s entry into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
Muraleedharan, who is also the KPCC Publicity Committee chairman, told reporters at the state Congress headquarters Indira Bhavan here the Congress is with the believers on the issue and there is no need to ensure the young activists’ - without any belief in Sabarimala customs and rituals - entry into the temple by force. According to him, though there have been several apex court judgments, including the one on providing land to landless tribals, which were kept in cold storage, the government showed undue haste in implementing the Sabarimala judgment to foment tensions.
Muraleedharan lashed out at IG Sreejith and sought to know how he could take women activists like Rehana Fathima to Sabarimala temple camouflaged in police uniform. He also rebuked the government decision to deploy a hotheaded police officer like Manoj Abraham in Sabarimala.
The Congress leader wondered how the government is going to deal with the issue once the temple opens for the Mandalam poojas. With the entire police force being deployed in Sabarimala, criminals in the state will have a field day .
Muraleedharan ridiculed the Chief Minister for running away to the UAE in the guise of collecting funds for rebuilding Kerala and called upon Pinarayi Vijayan to come out with a clear statement on the funds collected during the UAE trip. Accusing the Chief Minister of attempts to create casteist divisions in society, he said the government is playing with fire on the Sabarimala issue. The Congress leader alleged both the BJP and the CPM are playing politics on the issue.
BJP reiterates RSS is with the devotees
Sabarimala: As protest against the entry of women to Sabarimala continued on Saturday, the BJP has reiterated that the RSS has extended its full support to the protests called by the devotees against the SC verdict. “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has already made it clear that the SC verdict has hurt the sentiments of lakhs of devotees. It’s clear the RSS is with the devotees in their protests,” said BJP general secretary K Surendran. He said the BJP would continue with its protests till devotees get justice. “We will be with the devotees and extend full support to them,” he said adding that there was no difference of opinion within the BJP in supporting the protests being organised by the devotees.
BJP leaders arrested at Nilakkal
T’Puram: The police on Saturday arrested a six-member BJP team, including senior leaders A N Radhakrishnan and J R Padmakumar, from Nilakkal for violating ban orders in connection with the Sabarimala issue. The BJP leaders went to Nilakkal around 2 pm. Upon reaching Nilakkal by vehicles, they went to the road with the chanting of Saranam Ayyappa. Following this, a police team led by a DySP, took them into custody. They were later taken to the Nilakkal police station.
Centre should immediately intervene: P P Mukundan
T’Puram : BJP leader and party former south zone organising secretary P P Mukundan has called for the immediate intervention of Central Government on the Sabarimala issue. He said the state government is trying to divide society by facilitating to break the rituals and customs of the temple which will lead to the temple becoming a battle zone. He called upon the Chief Minister and the state government to back off from dividing the state on caste lines.
Manju’s house vandalised
T’Puram: Hours after Kerala Dalit Federation leader S P Manju attempted to trek the Sabarimala hill shrine, a group of miscreants vandalised her house at Chathanoor. According to the Chathanoor police, the house that came under attack is an abandoned one. “Manju, along with her mother and brother, lives in another house and police personnel were deployed there. A case has been registered,” said an officer with the Chathanoor police station.
Cop cover for Rehana Fathima’s house
Kochi: The city police have provided security to the house of the Kochi-based rights activist Rehana Fathima. Her house was vandalised by miscreants after she and Kavitha Jakkala, a journalist from Hyderabad, tried to enter Sabarimala temple on Friday. The attack took place soon after Rehana’s partner Manoj Sreedhar posted on Facebook about her attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple.
Jama’at Council expels Rehana
Alappuzha: The Jama’at State Council has expelled Rehana Fatima from the Muslim community. Council state president A Pookunju said in a press release the council directed the Ernakulam Central Muslim Jama’at to expel her and family from the membership of the Mahallu. The release said her act has pained lakhs of Hindu devotees and it was against the rituals of that community.
Rahul’s bail plea to be considered tomorrow
T’Puram : The Pathanamthitta Judicial First Class Magistrate postponed to Monday the bail petition of Rahul Easwar, the Sabarimala thantri family member and Save Sabarimala Forum founder. He has been accused of creating communal sentiments at Pampa and Sannidhanam against the SC verdict allowing entry to women of all ages to Sabarimala. On Saturday, Rahul has been shifted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College hospital after he fasted in Kottarakkara sub-jail for the past two days.
Protests: Child rights panel for action
T’Puram: The Child Rights Commission has directed the state police chief to take action against those who take children to agitations organised by adults. Coming out against the trend, Child Rights Protection Commission chairperson P Suresh said the practice of children being asked to take part in such activities should end.
Antony blames Govt’s immature stance
T’Puram: Congress working committee member A K Antony has said the immature stance taken by the state government and its unnecessary reins on the Travancore Devaswom Board led to the present stalemate on Sabarimala issue. He said the undue haste shown by the government without consulting anyone in implementing this order has led to the present crisis.
Chennithala slams BJP double game
T’Puram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday lashed out at the BJP over its alleged double game on the Sabarimala issue, while trashing BJP state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai’s claim of the Congress-led UDF having given upon the issue as being contrary to facts. Chennithala said right from the start the Congress and the UDF took an unambiguous stance the party and front are not for direct protests on the issue but will extend their support to devotees. He said the BJP leader is hiding the facts and levelling baseless allegations. According to Chennithala, the BJP while supporting the entry of women into Sabarimala at the national level is instigating the cadre in the state and this amounted to duplicity.
Thiruvanchoor assails Centre, state
Kottayam: Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said though both the Centre and the state government are empowered to enact laws to bypass the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala, those at the helm of affairs are unwilling to avail themselves of it. “The Centre is vested with the necessary powers to bring in ordinance. The President has special discretionary powers to enact laws in matters which affect the interests of millions of people. This apart, the President can refer the issue to the Supreme Court. As per entry seven of 7th Schedule, pilgrimages come under the state government and it can enact laws exclusively for Sabarimala, to protect the interests of the devotees. However, neither the Centre nor the state has explored these options,” he told reporters here on Saturday.
Temple tradition should be respected: Rajinikanth
Chennai: Actor Rajinikanth on Saturday said age-old tradition in the Sabarimala temple should be respected with regard to entry of women to the shrine. However, Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan declined to comment on the issue. Asked about the SC verdict on Sabarimala, Rajinikanth said “There is no second opinion on the view that women should be given equal rights. But, when it comes to temples, each would have certain unique age-old traditional practices. It is my humble view that no one should interfere in that.”
G Sudhakaran flays Sabarimala thantri
Alappuzha: Works Minister G Sudhakaran has flayed Sabarimala thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru for threatening to lock the doors of the sanctum sanctorum if women were allowed to enter the temple. The minister was speaking to reporters here on Saturday. “The thantri made the statement as if closing the Sabarimala temple is like downing the shutters of shops during hartal. We are witnessing the end of feudal priesthood in the state. The public should discuss the thantri’s stance,” Sudhakaran said. The minister said there was no need to examine the background of those going to Sabarimala. “It is unfortunate that women had to return without entering the shrine,” he said.
Case against social media users for comments against cops
T’Puram: The Museum police have registered a case against 12 persons who allegedly posted defamatory comments and remarks on social media against State Police Chief Loknath Behera and IG Manoj Abraham pertaining to the Sabarimala issue. The police booked them following a complaint by the Cyber Cell. The police said they have submitted the FIR to the Cyber Cell for further action, including arrests. The accused had allegedly made derogatory comments against the top police officers on handling the Sabarimala issue. They have been booked under Section 153A and Section 294 B of the Indian Penal Code.