BJP warns of dire consequences

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP warned of dire consequences if state government intervened in matters related to temple administration. The government should make it clear who has asked the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) commissioner and the TDB recruitment board chief to intervene in Sabarimala case before the Supreme Court and why TDB president was kept in the dark, asked the state leadership of the party.

BJP spokesman M S Kumar said there would be serious consequences if government interfered with the functioning and administration of temples in future. He alleged that the devaswom commissioner was acting on the directives of CPM and the AKG Centre.

Padmakumar has no moral authority to continue as TDB president as he is unaware of what's happening inside the board. The government cannot remove him and he is continuing as a 'puppet'. CPM is controlling TDB and the president has lost his power, claimed Kumar.

BJP leadership added that government is trying to create tension at Sabarimala once again when temple is scheduled to open for Kumbha month puja.

Come up with legislation, Tharoor tells Centre

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked the NDA government at the Centre to come up with a legislation to protect the religious freedom at Sabarimala. In his Lok Sabha speech, Tharoor said Kerala has been troubled by the developments over Sabarimala temple. Certain political outfits have hijacked the issue by creating trouble and making it a big law and order issue. They are not just destroying the law and order, but they are also disturbing the sanctity of the temple.

This can be resolved only through a judicial process or a legislation in the Parliament. "It is a hypocrisy to create violence when you have the majority in the parliament to pass a law to ensure religious freedom at Sabarimala," said Tharoor.