KOCHI: The High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to file an affidavit on whether it issued any directive regarding preparations in Sabarimala for the three-month annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season starting November 17.
The court issued the directive on the petition by T R Ramesh of Thiruvananthapuram, who sought a directive to the Travancore Devaswom Board not to implement any oral or written orders by the Chief Minister or Devaswom Minister on religious matters, the entry of pilgrims and other related matters in Sabarimala. Ramesh also sought to declare any interference by the government in TDB’s administration as “illegal”.
The petitioner alleged the CM and Devaswom Minister were interfering in matters of Sabarimala, which was illegal.
“The TDB must be allowed to decide on such matters. Even in filing a review petition or submitting a report to the Supreme Court on the entry of women to the hill shrine, the TDB cannot be guided or dictated by the Chief Minister or any member of the Cabinet,” he alleged.
He also pointed out the government had reportedly decided to deploy 5,000 policemen at Sannidhanam in the upcoming pilgrim season and restrict the entry of pilgrims.
When the petition came up for hearing, the court asked the state whether any directive was issued by the state on Sabarimala pilgrimage. The state submitted the petitioner did not produce any government order with the petition.
The High Court said the government should not conceal information from the court and inform it whether there was any directive to the TDB. The next court hearing will be held on Monday.