6 years ago
Thiruvananthapuram:
As the pilgrimage season is set to start at the Sabarimala Temple, the Kerala government will meet with all the political parties today to discuss the controversy over entry of women of menstruating age. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called an all-party meeting to discuss the arrangements need to be made for the pilgrimage season, set to start on November 17. Over 500 young women have registered on the website of the Kerala police, for darshan, over the last one week. 3,505 protesters were arrested and 529 cases filed in connection with a series of incidents of violence in the state after the opening of the temple gate in October. Activist Trupti Desai has asked for complete police protection for her visit to the temple.
Here are live updates on Sabarimala row:
This is very unfortunate. It's for the first time that opposition's advice has not been taken. We boycott this meet: Ramesh Chennithala
Kerala Chief Minister has behaved like Stalin. His stand is unacceptable. We boycott this all-party meeting: BJP state president to NDTV
Supreme Court clearly says that the September 28 verdict stands. It means that the entry of women should be allowed. Government cannot take any stand against this verdict. We respect the feelings of the devotees. We are bound to implement court verdict: Kerala Chief Minister on Sabarimala Temple
Have to see if some days can be fixed for women. This needs to be discussed: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
I have not received any response from the Kerala government. If any incident occurs, the responsibility will be on Kerala Chief Minister and DGP: Trupti Desai
BJP, Congress walkout of all-party meeting on Sabarimala
Last week both the BJP and the Congress hit the streets in Kerala protesting the Supreme Court's order, lifting ban on girls and women in 10 to 50 age groups, from entering the temple.
"The odious politics and perfidious ways of the BJP stand exposed. Evidence has surfaced that BJP leaders in the state connived to create trouble," Mr Vijayan said on November 9
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the BJP and the RSS of conspiring to create trouble at Sabarimala.
Over 500 young women have registered on the website of the Kerala police.
The main agenda at today's all-party meeting is reviewing the arrangements made for devotees, say sources.
