THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With calls for withdrawal, or at least amendment, of the affidavit it filed in the Supreme Court on the issue of women’s entry at Sabarimala getting shriller, the state government on Wednesday clarified that it has had no occasion to rethink the matter.
“The government has had no reason to think of such a step. It has to consider it only if the court seeks its response on any of the issues (related to the case). Unless it is asked, the state cannot interfere,” Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan told TNIE when pointed out that the Opposition UDF has also joined the BJP in demanding withdrawal of the affidavit.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan demanded that the state government clarify whether it intends to withdraw the affidavit favouring entry of women of all ages at Sabarimala.
“Will the government withdraw cases registered against Ayyappa devotees for participating in the Namajapa procession? There are still cases pending,” he told reporters.
Vasavan asserted that the affidavit is in no way linked to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. “The meet is being organised to discuss the development of Sabarimala — making it a global pilgrimage centre and improving the facilities. Other issues are not on the agenda,” he said.
On the demand to withdraw the cases registered following the stir in 2018-19, Vasavan said the CM had made it clear that only those of a serious nature would stay, and all other cases would be withdrawn, pending courts’ nod.
Government action will help communal forces: Satheesan
When asked about Satheesan’s allegation that the LDF government had not allotted the Rs 82 lakh, sanctioned by the A K Antony regime, to the Devaswom Board, Vasavan said he was not aware of any such development. Earlier, Satheesan alleged that the LDF government's decision to organise the Ayyappa Meet at the end of its tenure was mere political hypocrisy.
However, he did not respond to specific questions on whether the UDF would participate in the meet.
“That question is not relevant. Let the government clarify the questions we have raised,” he said.
He alleged that the government's action would only help communal forces. Satheesan said the UDF would not interfere with the decision of community organisations.
“The UDF has always been with Ayyappa devotees. It is this government which has undermined Sabarimala development. The Oommen Chandy government had taken over forest land for development of Sabarimala and accorded the same amount of land to the forest department. However, for the last nine-and-a-half years this government has not done anything,” he alleged.-