Certain vested interests were trying to mar the Sabarimala pilgrimage by spreading baseless propaganda and rumours in Tamil Nadu and other South Indian States under the cover of the Mullapperiyar controversy, alleged Mr P.K.Krishnadas, Bharatiya Janata Party national executive member and former State president.
Mr Krishnadas was addressing a prèss conference at Sabarimala Sannidhanam on Thursday. According to him, reports received from certain parts of Tamil Nadu show that many pilgrims were scared to undetake their annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala due to false propaganda spread among them by certain quarters.
The stone-pelting at a vehicle carrying Sabarimala pilgrims could not be taken as an isolated incident and the State Police and the Government should take it in al its seriousness, he said.
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The BJP leader said the Government should initiate necessary steps to alleviate the fears and apprehensions of the pilgrims from the neighboring States with out any further delay.
Sabarimala Development Authority mooted
Mr Krishnadas said the Government should constitute a Sabarimala Development Authority aimed at the overall development of the pilgrim centre.
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He said development of the major base camps of Erumely, Pandalam, Pampa and Nilackal should also brought under the proposed development authority.
Mr Krishnadas said the Sabarimala Master Plan should be implemented under the stewardship of the proposed development authority. The Supreme Court and Kerala High Court should also monitor the functioning of the proposed Sabarimala Development Authority, he added.
Annadanam
The BJP leader said Travancore Devaswom Board should either provide Annadanam for all pilgrims visiting Sabarimala or permit various voluntary organisations and individuals who came forward to conduct Annadanam at the pilgrim centre.
Mr Krishnadas also took part in the cleaning drive held as part of the Punyam Poonkavanam project at the holy hillock in the forenoon.