A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday observed that the situation at Sabarimala had changed and there was no problem for the pilgrims to have a peaceful darshan.

The Bench made the oral observation while disposing of a petition filed by three persons from Thrissur seeking a directive to the police not to restrain them from having darshan during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season.

When the petition came up for hearing, Government Pleader V. Manu submitted that the petitioners were involved in several cases in connection with the protests against the Supreme Court verdict allowing entry for women of all ages in Sabarimala. In fact, the government had no objection to their having a peaceful darshan at Sabarimala. They could undertake pilgrimage as true and genuine devotees. The police had taken action only against protesters.

The petitions were filed by K.V. Vibin, Akhil Mohanan, and O.B. Bibin. According to them, the police earlier sent them back from Pampa when they undertook the pilgrimage, alleging that they were BJP workers.