CPI(M) seeks cooperation of all to implement SC verdict on Sabarimala

On September 28, the apex court lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine

The CPI(M), which heads the LDF government in Kerala, said Saturday it wanted the Supreme Court verdict, permitting women of all age groups to worship at Sabarimala temple, to be implemented after discussions with everyone concerned.

"The consultation is for implementing the verdict. The government is seeking the support of persons concerned to implement it, but not by force," party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

The Left party has no confusion on the issue, he said, adding that the move by vested interests to turn the faithful against the government would be checked with the help of the believers themselves.

Balakrishnan alleged that a section of Congress leaders in the state was not taking a progressive and secular stand on the issue.

The government would not allow violence or tension on the issue, he said.

The leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala was in the "hands of Hindu fundamentalists", the CPI(M) leader alleged.

Meanwhile, state Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran attacked the BJP and the Congress-led UDF, saying they were trying to create "misunderstanding" among the faithful and "fishing in troubled waters".

He also said the government's stand was to move ahead with mutual cooperation.

Protest over the entry of women in Sabarimala has gained momentum after the LDF government made it clear that it would not go in for a review of the Supreme Court verdict.

The opposition Congress and BJP had come out against the government stand and alleged the Left government was trying to implement the court order in haste without taking into consideration sentiments of the believers.

The Congress also alleged the BJP-RSS combine had adopted double standards on the issue and said if it was sincere in protecting the interest of believers, the NDA government at the Centre should come out with a legislation to overcome the verdict.

A section of Ayyappa devotees staged a dharna Saturday in front of the headquarters of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in Thiruvananthapuram, which manages the hill shrine.

Members of Pandalam royal family have sought permission to meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is now in New Delhi, Monday to discuss the issue, CMO sources said.

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.