The Kerala High Court appointed three member committee of observers  for Sabarimala have made it clear that they will not interfere in matters relating to law and order and that their mandate was to ensure basic facilities for devotees.

The committee consisting of judges P R Raman and S Sirijagan and state Director General of Police
A Hemachandran is scheduled to visit the hilltop temple and its surroundings on Monday and Tuesday to evaluate the facilities. “Our priority is to make sure food and toilet for devotees round the clock. The Devaswom Board (which runs the temple) has given their inputs on the facilities. Our primary aim is to implement the directions of the court,” said Raman.

The observers will be in Sabarimala for two days and will visit the temple on Tuesday. Besides, talks with the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, members of the chief priest’s family and other outfits also will be held on Tuesday. The visit is intended to ensure whether there are adequate facilities, including food, drinking water and toilet facilities. The representatives of the Travancore Devaswom Board, said sources privy to the meeting, listed out the facilities that were available for the pilgrims at Sabarimala. They also highlighted the difficulties faced by them during special festival days including the law and order situation. The panel doesn’t intend to override the policing system in the hill shrine. Instead, it will oversee the arrangements made there and give instructions for the smooth conduct of pilgrimage. The Kerala High Court has given powers for the panel to look into all aspects of the pilgrimage, sources said.

—India Legal Bureau