The decision of the Kerala Police imposing fresh restrictions on the pilgrim movement to Sabarimala by making ‘police pass’ from their home police stations mandatory for all Pampa or Nilackal-bound vehicles has kicked up another controversy.
Many experts have taken strong exception to the decision, saying that it would only do more harm than good. A former Director General of Police said the decision was ill-advised and impractical.
He said the decision had nothing to do with the Supreme Court verdict, permitting women of all ages to Sabarimala. Most of the pilgrims coming to Sabarimala during the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku season are from the neighbouring States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Asking them to get a ‘vehicle pass’ from their home police stations is illogical and impractical. The former State Police Chief said the government could have sought more time for complying with the court order by presenting the ground reality of inadequate basic pilgrim facilities, especially for women, at Sabarimala.
Violation of rule
V.K. Unnikrishnan Nair, who had served as the Transport Special Officer of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation at Pampa for eight years, said the police move was a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act as well as the Central and State rules.