Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, during the all-party meeting, stated that it is the responsibility of the government to implement the Supreme Court verdict. The stand was heavily criticised by opposition parties.
Kerala: The Kerala government, headed by LDF party, under the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan, in the all-party meeting, declared that it was the duty of the state government to implement the apex court’s verdict in the state. Vijayan read out a prepared set of notes at the meeting giving a detailed report on the situation till date.
The meeting was held at the secretariat’s conference hall. Kerala president Mullappally Ramachandran and Muslim League Leaders were present at the meeting.
The Congress and the BJP walked out of the all-party meeting on Sabarimala. The meeting was convened to discuss the row over entry of women between 10 and 50 years into the Sabarimala temple. Consensus on the issue is important because the two-month 'Mandala Makkaravillakku' or the annual pilgrimage season will start on November 17.
After the meeting, chief minister Vijayan said that the state government cannot go against the verdict of Supreme the Court and that he also respects peoples' beliefs. The government might consider fixing particular days for the entry of women. This possibility will be discussed, he said.
BJP and Congress heavily criticised the government’s stand. PS Sreedharan Pillai, Kerala BJP chief said that the present government had insulted the feelings of the devotees. He also criticised police action. Ramesh Chennithala, an opposition leader said that the there were no basic facilities at Nilakkal and Pamba, the camp basis for temple pilgrimage; he also urged the government to protect the customs and traditions of the temple.
Law minister AK Balan was not invited to the meeting as he asked the government to make a compromise with respect to the situation.
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