Devaswom board reveals true colours, say Pandalam royals
TNN & Agencies | Feb 7, 2019, 07:28 IST
P S Varma, a prominent member of the family, said the board and the government were out to destroy the traditi... Read MoreTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Slamming the Travancore devaswom board’s stand supporting the entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala, the Pandalam royal family on Wednesday said the “true colours” of the board has been revealed.
P S Varma, a prominent member of the family, said the board and the government were out to destroy the traditions and customs of the hilltop shrine.
Women, of menstruating age—defined as those aged between 10 and 50—were prohibited from entering the Dharma Sastha Temple. The Supreme Court, however, allowed women of all ages to enter the temple on September 28.
Varma said by toeing the state-government line, the TDB had gone back on its word that it was with the wishes and aspirations of the devotees.
He also expressed apprehension that another showdown could in the offing when the temple would open for monthly puja on February 12. He was referring to the seven days’ time the Supreme Court had granted for submitting written submissions.
“We have not lost hope as we feel that if there is going to be another setback, there is an option to file a curative petition. We will go to any extent to protect the traditions and customs of the temple,” Varma added.
TDB president A Padmakumar denied the board had changed its stand.
“We did not file a review petition. Instead we filed a 'delay petition' (requesting the court to defer the judgment). What I have been told is that today we were asked about our stand in relation to the September 28 verdict. It was to this that our counsel said that they will abide by the court verdict. The court has also given time till February 13 to give in writing if there are any more things that should be brought before the court. We will meet to discuss on what needs to be given in writing,” said Padmakumar, a former CPM legislator.
“The TDB will abide by whatever the verdict is,” he said.
Asked if there was a shift in the stand, the TDB reminded the media that the BJP organ had, soon after the September 28 verdict, ran a headline hailing it as ‘historic’.
Former chief minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy said the TDB's somersault showed that it was hand in glove with the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
“Just what Vijayan wanted, the TDB has done," he said.
State BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai said Vijayan has taken everyone for a ride.
“The people have been cheated and very soon the people will give a fitting reply for what has happened,” he said.
Former TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan, who also filed a review petition, said he was confident the temple customs and traditions would be protected.
P S Varma, a prominent member of the family, said the board and the government were out to destroy the traditions and customs of the hilltop shrine.
Women, of menstruating age—defined as those aged between 10 and 50—were prohibited from entering the Dharma Sastha Temple. The Supreme Court, however, allowed women of all ages to enter the temple on September 28.
Varma said by toeing the state-government line, the TDB had gone back on its word that it was with the wishes and aspirations of the devotees.
He also expressed apprehension that another showdown could in the offing when the temple would open for monthly puja on February 12. He was referring to the seven days’ time the Supreme Court had granted for submitting written submissions.
“We have not lost hope as we feel that if there is going to be another setback, there is an option to file a curative petition. We will go to any extent to protect the traditions and customs of the temple,” Varma added.
TDB president A Padmakumar denied the board had changed its stand.
“We did not file a review petition. Instead we filed a 'delay petition' (requesting the court to defer the judgment). What I have been told is that today we were asked about our stand in relation to the September 28 verdict. It was to this that our counsel said that they will abide by the court verdict. The court has also given time till February 13 to give in writing if there are any more things that should be brought before the court. We will meet to discuss on what needs to be given in writing,” said Padmakumar, a former CPM legislator.
“The TDB will abide by whatever the verdict is,” he said.
Asked if there was a shift in the stand, the TDB reminded the media that the BJP organ had, soon after the September 28 verdict, ran a headline hailing it as ‘historic’.
Former chief minister and Congress leader Oommen Chandy said the TDB's somersault showed that it was hand in glove with the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
“Just what Vijayan wanted, the TDB has done," he said.
State BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai said Vijayan has taken everyone for a ride.
“The people have been cheated and very soon the people will give a fitting reply for what has happened,” he said.
Former TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan, who also filed a review petition, said he was confident the temple customs and traditions would be protected.
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