Above Photo: UNI

The Kerala Government’s assurances to the Supreme Court and the state High Court   to provide security to women who want to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple as decreed by the apex court in its Sep 28 verdict stood exposed  as reports emerge of the police citing law and order problems to tell the government thatallowing  women to enter the temple in the coming peak pilgrim days days will aggravate the situation security cannot be assured.

Media reports from kerala suggest officers of the Kerala police have told their seniors that they will not be able to provide security to ‘activists’ who want to enter the Sabarimala temple, owing to the major law and order challenges that they are facing on the ground. Local media have reported that police officials deployed at the temple sanctum sanctorum have  reported to the DGP stating that it is not practical to allow women to enter the temple when it is crowded. Its is also said the police have stated that that any attempts to allow women to enter the temple in the coming days will aggravate the situation. The police  have reported that the intention of most of the women who are coming to Sabarimala is to attain popularity and attention. The police have requested the DGP to give them the permission to deny entry to women who have criminal cases against them.

On Monday, the police had to take 11 women belonging to Tamil Nadu-based activists organisation to safety after the devotees turned violent and force them back. Three members from the group tried to meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, but his office denied them permission saying they did not have a prior appointment.

The government, especially the state police, faced criticism for the second straight day for their defensive approach.  The government however saying they decided not use force after considering the presence of thousands of devotees including children and senior citizens at Sannidhanam.

The Pampa police have registered cases against 41 people and arrested 10 of them for obstructing Manithi women and Sannidhanam police a separate case against 150 people for stopping the two women on Monday.State Police Chief Loknath Behera has denied his force has made any lapse in implementing the Supreme Court verdict.

–India Legal Bureau