Sabarimala Temple issue: Kerala govt submits affidavit in HC

The Kerala Government on Monday submitted an affidavit in the High Court on Sabarimala temple issue stating that it never interfered in religious matters and rituals in connection with Sabarimala Temple.

The government also that some political parties with their own agenda staged protest condemning the judgment of the Supreme Court, obstructed women devotees going to the Sabarimala temple.

"The Chief Minister has not issued any direction to temple authorities. He has only directed the police to take care of security in the light of large-scale protest and violence practiced by some persons. No genuine devotee will be prevented from entering the temple but those coming with the intention of creating trouble will be held by the police," it added.

The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests recently over the Supreme Court's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of females of menstruating age, between 10 and 50 years, into the shrine.

As many as 3,505 protesters have been arrested and around 529 cases were registered so far in connection with a series of incidents of violence in the state after the opening of the temple gate in October this year.