Devaswom Board is trying to find a middle ground considering it does not want to fight with pro-Hindu groups, devotees or with the ruling party.
Sabarimala: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is all set to approach the Supreme Court requesting more time to implement its order on allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala shrine.
TDB president A Padmakumar had said that the Board has taken into consideration the concerns of devotees, thantris as well as the verdict passed by the Supreme Court. But he said that the Board has not received any papers in this regard. As the papers reach them, a way will be found to seek more time from the apex court to implement its order.
Earlier, the Board had stated that the decision on filing a petition seeking more time would be taken after a meeting on Friday (November 16).
Padmakumar also clarified that the Board does not have to wait for the government's approval to take any decision regarding the temple practices as it is an independent entity.
The petition is seen as a desperate try to maintain status quo for now, at least till January 22, when the court will hear the review petition with respect to its earlier verdict on entry of women of all ages inside Sabarimala temple.
Padmakumar also requested the protesters not to create law and order situations in and around Sabarimala.
Currently, it has become a water tight compartment between the ruling CPI(M), Congress, BJP and pro-Hindu groups. The all party meeting convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was boycotted by the Congress and the BJP.
However, Vijayan has suggested to fix particular days for women following a discussion in this regard.
In October, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Kerala government and Cochin and Travancore Devaswom Boards and sought their response in six weeks about implementing its order.
So far, 3,505 protestershave been arrested and 529 cases have been registered with regard to violence and protests in Sabarimala.
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