M. Manoj, Sabarimala Special Commissioner, has sought directions to political parties, organisations and all authorised and registered organisations of Ayyappa devotees to avoid protests and vigilantism in and around Sabarimala, the Sannidhanam and Nilackal during the impending Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival season.
The temple will be opened on November 16 for the annual season and hundreds of devotees will trek to the temple every day.
Submits report to HC
The Special Commissioner submitted a report on the developments to the Kerala High Court.
Mr.Manoj has cautioned that vigilantes, protesting against women’s entry into the hill shrine, may be playing into the hands of anti-social elements who may foment trouble, attempt to harm pilgrims and even destroy the eternal peace of the temple.
The caution attains significance in the wake of widespread protests by a section of people and attacks on aged women pilgrims on November 5 and earlier.
If the vigilantism of political parties and organisations continue during the festival season, it may affect the smooth functioning of the pilgrimage.
The time has come to remind all that the rule of law should prevail, Mr. Manoj, who is also a district judge, has cautioned.
BJP ups ante
The Bharatiya Janata Party has upped the ante on the temple issue with its State president P. S. Sreedharan Pillai undertaking a rath yatra. On its part, the State government and the Left Democratic Front led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, hav been extensively campaigning against what they term a political game plan of the Sangh Parivar and the BJP. The Opposition United Democratic Front has also intensified its campaign on the issue by launching yatras in the State.
The police have booked a large number of cases against political activists engaged in violence including attacking women, vandalism, destruction of public property along the route to the temple and its premises.
On November 13, the Supreme Court is expected to consider a batch of review petitions against its order permitting women of all ages to enter the hill shrine.
Case of Thilankari
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Valsan Thilankari and a group of people who accompanied him violated the temple rituals of Sabarimala by ascending the Pathinettampadi (18 holy steps) without the Irumudikkettu (the twin bag which the pilgrims carry on their head,) reported the commissioner to the Kerala High Court.
On November 6, a person without Irumudikkettu climbed the Pathinettampadi at 7.24 a.m.
At about 7.30 a.m., “Valsan Thilankari, a prominent leader of the RSS, and some people infiltrated the sterile zone and climbed the Pathinettampadi without the Irumudikkettu. It appears that Valsan Thilankari and those persons formed an assembly at the Pathinettampadi and Valsan Thilankari appears to have made a speech standing on the Pathinettampadi,” he reported.
