The United Democratic Front (UDF) has formally demanded the withdrawal of the prohibitory orders now in force in Sabarimala since it had led to a steep fall in pilgrims’ arrivals.
The high-power committee of the coalition which met here on Tuesday said the government had issued the prohibitory orders in order to conceal its absolute failure in establishing facilities in the sacred hills ahead of the festival season and to dodge protests of the devotees.
“The prohibitory orders (under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure) was just a ploy to limit the arrival of pilgrims and avert their wrath,” UDF convener Benny Behanan said at a media conference soon after the meeting.
He also alleged that the prohibitory orders were part of a game plan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the former preparing the ground for the latter to grow.
The CPI(M) and the State government were deliberately pushing the BJP to stage agitations on the Sabarimala issue. The government remained a mute spectator when the Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala made many inflammatory speeches. It ignored the petition filed by Congress leader V.D. Satheesan against Ms. Sasikala in connection with an inflammatory speech she made at Paravur.
The UDF would continue its agitations for the withdrawal of the prohibitory orders, both inside and outside the Assembly. On Thursday, the UDF would stage protest demonstrations in all the 140 Assembly constituencies demanding the withdrawal of Sabarimala curbs, Mr. Behanan said.
Balan’s resignation sought
The UDF sought Law Minister A.K. Balan’s resignation since he had failed to refer appropriate action against CPI(M) legislator P.K. Sasi, who was found guilty of offence against a woman worker belonging to the Democratic Youth Federation of India.
The party committee which probed the allegations against Mr. Sasi had found substance in it and recommended six-month suspension from the party. As Law Minister, Mr. Balan should have recommended police action against the legislator. By failing to do so, Mr. Balan was also a party to the crime, Mr. Behanan said.
With regard to the demand for the resignation of Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel, Mr. Behanan said the UDF legislature party would formulate the appropriate strategy to be adopted on the floor of the House.