The chief minister of Kerala underlined the Supreme Court’s verdict on Sabarimala and has called for a meeting, with all political parties on Thursday to discuss the law and order of the state.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, of LDF party, earlier had established that the Supreme Court’s verdict on women’s entry has not been revoked and it is still the prevalent one in the state. Kadakampally Surendran, minister in charge of temple administration, confirmed to reporters that the government has maintained a positive outlook to the order given by Supreme Court on September 28. In regards to recent developments in the state, in relation to the Supreme Court's decision to hear the review petitions in an open court from January 22, an all-party meeting has been called for on Thursday at 11AM. Surendran had earlier mentioned that a collective dialogue needs to take place.
The meeting will apparently establish a common ground to the various concerns on the current issue. The meeting was announced soon after the Supreme Court’s decision to hear review petitions against the order, allowing women of all ages to enter the temple.
The public hearing will take place on January 22, 2019, after the pilgrimage season is over at the temple. The court also stated that its earlier order will not be stayed until then.
BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai had earlier said that the women aged between 10 and 50 must not be allowed in the temple till the final hearing by Supreme Court takes place. He also stated that the government stand is wrong.
Congress's Prayar Gopalakrishnan, after inspection of the Pamba base camp, said that proper arrangements were not yet made for the pilgrimage season, especially after the floods. He had placed a petition on behalf of the Congress.
CPM state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, said that the government will evaluate the current decision of the Supreme Court and take an appropriate decision, while fulfilling the existing rule issued. President of Pandalam Palace Coordination Committee (PPCC), Sasikumar Varma, said that the decision issued by the Supreme Court has its flaws and needs to be rectified. The decision to hear the review petitions is a “partial victory”. PPCC and the Nair Service Society are key stakeholders, who revoked the ruling issued in September and have placed review petitions.
The Sabarimala shrine will be opened on November 16 for the two-month long ‘mandalam-makaravilakku’ festival.
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