‘Implement Sabarimala Verdict Immediately’: Kerala’s Communist CM Pinarayi Vijayan Orders Dewaswom Board

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women into Sree Dharma Sastha Ayyappaswamy Temple should be implemented immediately, Manorama has reported.

The Chief Minister told the officials of Travancore Dewaswom Board (TDB) that no delay was permissible in this regard. According to the board, minimum facilities such as washrooms will be required to accommodate women pilgrims. The Dewaswom board had sought more time to make arrangements in case more women arrived at the temple. TDB president A Padmakumar claimed that a 40 per cent increase in the number of pilgrims is expected once women start coming to the temple.

“I don't think devotee women will enter Sabarimala. The Board will meet to decide on the future course of action in response to the court ruling. A review petition is under consideration,” Padmakumar said.

Temple authorities and the Pandalam Royal Family are also planning to approach the Union government to pass legislation over-riding the verdict of the Supreme Court.