Sabarimala row: SC refuses urgent hearing to Kerala govt seeking stay on observation committee

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to give an urgent hearing to a mentioning by the Kerala government in which it had sought a stay on the observation committee, set up on the Sabarimala Temple issue.

The Kerala High Court on November 27 had appointed three observers Justice (retd) Sirijagan, Justice PR Raman and senior IPS officer DGP Hemachandran to assess the situation in Sabarimala.

The committee was appointed to ensure smooth pilgrimage to the Temple after numerous complaints about lack of facilities in the hill pilgrimage were reported.

The three-member monitoring committee visited the Temple on December 4 and expressed satisfaction over the facilities provided for devotees.

While Justice Raman expressed satisfaction over the facilities extended, ADGP Hemachandran observed, "There is a widespread misconception due to propaganda driven news. I urge the media to refrain from propaganda driven news and report facts."

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 been able to enter the temple due to widespread protests.