Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has said that the three-member monitoring committee for Sabarimala, comprising two former High Court judges P.R. Raman and S. Sirijagan and a serving Director General of Police A. Hemachandran, appointed by the High Court, should not shirk its responsibility to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

Intervention sought

The Minister said the monitoring committee should intervene in the matter without delay. “The committee should not limit its role to just counting the toilets provided for pilgrims at Sabarimala, Pampa, and Nilackal,” he said.

Mr. Surendran said he did know whether the two women were activists.

However, the police tried their best to convince the women on the risk involved in going to Sabarimala, considering the volatile situation there.

He said the government and the police have to abide by the Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to Sabarimala.

Panel clarifies

Meanwhile, Mr. Raman, monitoring committee member, told reporters that the three-member panel appointed by the High Court has got no role in maintaining law and order at Sabarimala.

All the three committee members are camping at Sabarimala Sannidhanam.