THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Asked about the shutdown call by thantri, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said he had personally spoken to him, adding he had no such motives. The minister alleged “there are some who pull the strings behind the curtain and are using him for their ulterior motives”. Chief Minister’s political secretary M V Jayarajan said such statements by the thantri would lead to questions about his power to do such an act. In that case, a decision could only be taken only after referring the Travancore Devaswom Manual.
TDB president A Padmakumar said though the thantri had no authority to question or violate the Supreme Court order, he is the authorised person to decide on matters related to temple rituals. He added the board will “examine” his statement that the “keys of the temple will be handed over to the Pandalam Palace.”Earlier, PWD Minister G Sudhakaran said a public discussion is needed on the thantri’s call and added it was disappointing that the women could not make it to the temple.
According to TDB member K P Sankardas, neither the thantri nor anyone could shut down the temple as it is a violation of both the court verdict and century-old rituals.