A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking a directive to Sabarimala tantri to formulate a ‘vritam’ (vow) for women in the age group 10-50 from 41 days to 21 days to enable women to undertake pilgrimage to the temple.
The petition was filed by M.K. Narayanan Potti. According to him, the tantri, being the chief priest of the temple, was bound to formulate ‘vritam’ days to be observed by women intending to undertake pilgrimage to Sabarimala
He also alleged that the recent stand of the tantri that he would shut down the temple if any woman between 10 to 50 years visited the temple was against the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
The court observed that no tenable ground was made out in the writ petition warranting court's interference. The petitioner failed to give supporting provisions of law and binding precedents which enabled the court to issue any direction.
Meanwhile, the State government, in statement filed in the High Court, submitted that there was no restriction on the entry of media persons to Sabarimala and its adjoining places. Neither the media not any genuine devotes were prevented by the police. In fact, the police had made the entire areas safe for pilgrims.
Combing operations
The government pointed out that it had become necessary to comb the entire areas for security reasons. As part of it, all persons were asked to leave the area. After the combing operations, media persons were allowed into the area after November 4. The Pathanamthitta District Collector had issued orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code with effect from November 3 to the midnight of November 6 prohibiting all unlawful assembly, processions, meetings and all types of prayer meeting (namajapa yajnam), march between Elavungal and the Sannidhanam to enable devotees to have a peaceful darsan at Sabarimala.
The Bench also dismissed yet another writ petition for declaration that the Supreme Court Constitution Bench's verdict allowing entry of women in the age group of 10-50 need not be complied by the State government as it was only declaratory one.
The petition was filed by the National Ayyappa Devotees’ Association.