KOCHI/NEW DELHI: The
Kerala BJP on Monday said it will organise a five-day long march from Pandalam to Thiruvananthapuram in protest against the CPM-led LDF government's "hasty move" to implement the
Supreme Court order on
Sabarimala temple.
State chief minister Pinarayi
Vijayan slammed the protests against his government and said "deliberate" efforts were being made to destroy the state's unity and secular fabric.
Announcing the decision to conduct the five-day long 'Save Sabarimala Yatra' from Pandalam to Thiruvananthapuram, BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai alleged that the LDF government was trying to divide Hindus to "defeat" the movement of Lord Ayyappa devotees against the government's decision to hurriedly implement the Supreme Court order.
The long march --Save Sabarimala Yatra-- beginning October 10 from Pandalam, the place where Lord Ayyappa's palace is situated, would conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on October 15, Pillai said.
"The Government is trying to implement the Supreme Court order by suppressing the Hindu faith and sentiments of the faithful," the BJP state chief said after the core committee meeting of the party here. He said the NDA's 'Save Sabarimala Yatra' would be an agitation based on Gandhian principles.
Vijayan, however, defended his government's decision and said it was committed to protecting the religious beliefs and customs of different religions and places of worship and there was no question of succumbing to "politically motivated" efforts to create tension in the state.
"The people of Kerala faced the recent unprecedented floods unitedly but deliberate efforts are now being made to destroy that unity, to destroy the secular fabric," he told reporters.
Holding out an olive branch, Vijayan also made it clear that the government was prepared for talks with all concerned if they had any misunderstanding over the state's stand on the issue.
Reaffirming the government's stand not to seek a review of the apex court verdict, Vijayan said the government in its earlier affidavit had made it clear that it would implement the court's order.
The government would go ahead with all "democratic and progressive steps" needed for enriching and empowering women in society.
He said his government's policy was to ensure equality and justice to all.