Modi shedding "crocodile tears" on Sabarimala issue, says

: The Congress in Kerala Friday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Sabarimala issue, saying he was once again shedding 'crocodile' tears over it.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala sought to know why the BJP led NDA government did not frame laws or issue an ordinance after the September 28 2018 Supreme Court verdict, allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at the Lord Ayappa hill shrine if they were really sincere in protecting the faith and tradition of the believers.

After the CPI(M) led LDF government decided to implement the Apex Court verdict,saying they were constitutionally bound to do so, protests by right outfits and BJP/RSS workers had erupted in various parts of the state.

But the Central government did not do anything and did not even file a review petition, Chennithala said.

Modi, who was in the state capital on Thursday for campaigning, had addressed a public meeting and had hit out at the state government,saying "We will not allow them to destroy the culture and traditions followed since thousands of years.

Even small children will stand as the chowkidars (watchmen) to protect our culture".

Modi had also assured that when the BJP-NDA government is voted back to power on May 23, from "court to Parliament" his government would fight for the faith of the believers.

"Narendra Modi is shedding crocodile tears and Keralites have seen everything," Chennithala said, adding only Congress had tried sincerely to protect the traditions and rituals of Sabarimala and had filed a review petition in the apex court.