Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran stressed on the fact that activists, who intend to make a political point, have no place in Sabarimala. And thus the government need not protect such people, he said.
Thiruvananthapuram: Devoswom minister Kadakampally Surendran claimed that he sensed a bigger conspiracy with the entry of women this morning to Sabarimala. In a Facebook post, he said that he has reasons to believe this was intentional in terms of sparking unrest in the region. He further said that he intervened with the information that this could balloon into a larger problem. Surendran stressed on the fact that activists, who intend to make a political point, have no place in Sabarimala. And thus the government need not protect such people, he said.
When the three women (two journalists and an activist) walked from Pampa to Nadappanthal, there were no agitations for around two hours, the minister observed, further stating that the plan could have been to launch intense protests across the state the moment the women climbed those 18 steps. The state cannot protect those who are looking to ensure bloodshed at sannidhanam (sanctum sanctorum), he said.
Surendran instructed IG Sreejith to escort the women back. Sources also say that there was intelligence failure. Sources also said that the women were taken without any background checks.
CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the party wasn't against activists entering the Sabarimala. Those with ill intention of stirring violence should be stopped, he added.
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