TDB seeks more time from SC over entry of women

Travancore Devasam Board, which manages the Kerala's Sabarimala temple, on Monday approached the Supreme Court seeking extension of time to implement its judgement allowing entry of women of all age groups to the shrine.

It cited acts of “hooliganism and assaults” and damage caused to infrastructure facilities due to unprecedented flood in the state as the reasons for seeking more time.

The judgement has “evoked a strong response from certain people and political parties which has led to severe law and order problems in the state and particularly in and around the temple,” it said.

The top court had earlier agreed to consider a batch of review petitions filed against the judgement on January 22.

In an application, the board contended about 1000 women have already registered themselves for visit to the Sabarimala temple but “the security of women being the primary responsibility and consideration, the applicant, at present, is not in position to provide additional facilities” to them.

“The applicant is in constant touch with the relevant authorities who have tried to ensure and provide all possible assistance and security to women visiting the Sabarimala temple but even the unprecedented security and efforts of the state authorities have not discouraged the protesters from threatening and impeding the women devotees from paying obeisance to the temple,” it said.

On November 6, a few women tried to enter the temple for worship during the monthly puja but they could not on account of severe resistance, it added.

Among others, the “calamitous floods also damaged and destroyed the infrastructure at Pampa and its surrounding areas which is the base camp for the pilgrimage for the devotees of Lord Ayappa.” The buildings, stalls, shelters, toilet facilities and sewage system were washed off. The arrangement for requisite additional infrastructure at Sabarimala, Pampa and Nilakkal is yet to be completed, it pointed out.