‘Conspiracy to recreate Jallianwala Bagh at Sabarimala’

Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has alleged that the Kerala government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, is conspiring to create another Jallianwala Bagh at Sabarimala.

Kateel was briefing reporters on Wednesday on the objective behind the study tour to Sabarimala.

“The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala has been suppressing the religious rights of the Hindus in the state. Ayyappa devotees face endless brutality at the hands of the police. All attempts were being made to convert the Sabarimala into another Jallianwala Bagh,” he alleged.

Speaking further, Kateel said, “The Kerala government has placed restrictions ensuring that a devotee stays in the Temple premises only for six hours. All those who shout ‘Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa’ are arrested. The government itself appears to have created a situation of terror at
Sabarimala.”

The MP visited Sabarimala Sannidhanam along with BJP Rajya Sabha member Muralidharan and Kerala state secretary Padmakumar on Tuesday, after informing the state government. The party team observed the situation at Pampa, Nilackal and Sannidhanam during their
visit.

“I have spoken to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) members to ensure that the devotees do not face any hardships due to the restrictions imposed by the Kerala government. The Board has authority only in name and is acting at the behest of the government,” Kateel
alleged.

He said that over six crore devotees visit Sabarimala annually and accused the Kerala government of failing to provide amenities including parking facilities, lodging and toilet.

“There is also a lack of facilities for police personnel,” he added.

“Although the Centre had sanctioned Rs 100 crore for basic facilities at Sabarimala, the Kerala government has failed to submit certificate for the utilisation of Rs 18 crore released by the Centre,” Kateel said.

“To hide the failure of the state to provide basic facilities, the government is engaging in levelling allegation against the BJP and the RSS. I will raise the issues on the lack of facilities for Ayyappa devotees during the winter session of the Parliament being planned from
December 11.

The MP also accused the Kerala government for failing to take up flood relief work in Kerala.