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Devasom minister blasts BJP

Last Updated 17 December 2018, 17:30 IST

Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said on Monday that the CPM-led state government was caught between the devil and deep sea as it tried to implement the Supreme Court judgement allowing entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple.

“On one side, the BJP-led central government is seeking from the state updates on how we are implementing the judgement. On the other, the BJP here wants us to go against the verdict,” Surendran told reporters. The minister has maintained that the BJP and the RSS are using the Sabarimala issue to stir tension in the state.
On the day the temple opened for monthly pujas, on Wednesday, clashes had broken out between police and activists of Hindutva outfits at the base camp of Nilakkal. On October 19, two women – Hyderabad-based journalist Kavitha Jakkala and activist from Kochi Rehana Fathima – were escorted by police personnel till about 500 metres from the sannidhanam, before protesters forced them to retreat. Though the state government assured protection for all woman pilgrims to the shrine, protesters have managed to block entry of about 15 women aged under 50 years during the five days of pujas.
The Travancore Devaswom Board which manages administration of the temple is set to firm up legal measures in connection with the Supreme Court judgment on Tuesday.
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(Published 22 October 2018, 14:58 IST)

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