‘Sabarimala no place for protests’: HC forms panel to enforce its order

KOCHI: The Kerala high court directed police on Tuesday to confine themselves to law and order issues in Sabarimala and remove “arbitrary restrictions” they had imposed at the hilltop shrine. The court declined to interfere with prohibitory orders in place, and said that the hilltop shrine was not a place for protests.

The HC appointed a three-member panel, comprising two former high court judges and a DGP-rank officer, as observers to ensure that its orders were carried out.

A division bench comprising Justices P R Ramachandra Menon and N Anil Kumar said chanting of mantras should not be prevented as it was the right of devotees, but emphasised that this right shouldn’t become a pretext for staging protests.

Considering a batch of pleas seeking removal of restrictions imposed by police and the state government at Sabarimala, the HC criticised the government’s actions.

HC raps Kerala govt on shrine restrictions

The HC pulled up the state government on the Sabarimala issue, expressing displeasure at the early closing time of the annadana mandapam (food distribution centre), prasadam counter and food stalls, restrictions on KSRTC services and locking of Sannidhanam rooms.

The state has not been able to provide satisfactory responses regarding the need for the restrictions, the bench said. Though the state said these were temporary restrictions to ensure safety of pilgrims, the court said such arrangements should have been made prior to the start of the pilgrimage season. The court said activities of the observers should be coordinated by the Sabarimala special commissioner and facilities for the observers should be provided by Travancore Devaswom Board. The committee of observers comprises retired high court judges P R Raman and Siri Jagan and senior IPS officer A Hemachandran.

It also issued specific directions on provision of facilities such as water, toilets and food, and security checks, among other issues.