Kerala government seeks to solve Sabarimala tension through a discussion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just two days to go for Sabarimala temple to open again for monthly pujas, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Sunday invited members of the thantri family, Pandalam palace representatives and Ayyappa Seva Sangham leaders for a discussion on Tuesday morning.

The TDB’s initiative comes amid growing protests by Ayyappa devotees against the historic Supreme Court verdict allowing women aged between 10 and 50 years entry to the hill shrine. The invitation for talks comes a day ahead of BJP’s culmination of a protest march. It is being seen as a last-ditch attempt by the LDF government to avoid possible violence and confrontation between the two sides opposing and favouring the SC verdict when they assemble at Sabarimala.

Significantly, the thantri family and members of the erstwhile Pandalam royal family had refused to attend an earlier meeting with the chief minister called for the same purpose. They had alleged that the government had already decided on allowing women into the shrine and that the invitation for the meet was just an “eyewash”.


However, striking a distinctly conciliatory tone this time, TDB president A Padmakumar said: “We are not there to change age-old traditions and beliefs. We want to protect the interests and beliefs of the Sabarimala believers.”

“All issues have to be resolved. The board does not want Sabarimala to be a political issue. Hence, without any pre-conditions we will be having discussions with the thantri family and others concerned,” Padmakumar added.

The TDB chief said the discussion has been convened to ensure a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage season this year. Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran has made it clear that it will not be possible to block women if they are coming for darshan. However, TDB authorities have ruled out deploying women police personnel and women Devaswom staff at sannidhanam.