Kerala HC-appointed monitoring committee to visit Sabarimala

A three-member Sabarimala monitoring committee appointed by Kerala High Court will leave for Sabarimala on Monday to take stock of the situation. They are also scheduled to visit Pamba, Nilakkal, and Sannidhanam in Kerala.

The committee that was set up by the court after numerous complaints about the lack of facilities in the hill pilgrimage were reported, on Sunday held its first meeting in Aluva.

The members of the committee include Justice PR Raman, Justice S.Sirijagan and ADGP Hemachandran, who will assess and submit suggestions to ensure the needs of the devotees.

Elaborating upon the committee's plan of action, Justice Raman after the meeting said, "During our visit to Pampa, Nilakkal and Sannidhanam, we will assess the existing facilities. If any addition of facilities is required we will suggest that too. Our top priority will be basic needs, like toilets and water facility. These things should be available for all. Food must be served properly. These are the things that will be assessed."

Earlier today, a four-member delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament (MP) met Kerala Governor P Sathasivam seeking his urgent "intervention and appropriate action" to restore "peace and tranquillity in Sabarimala temple."

The delegation also submitted its complaint to the Governor with regard to the difficulties faced by the devotees and lack of facilities in Sabarimala.

The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests recently over the Supreme Court's September 28 order that lifted the ban on the entry of women between the age group of 10 to 50 years inside the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Till now, no woman of the previously forbidden age group has entered the hill-top temple due to widespread protests.