Sabarimala concern a closed chapter, says Kerala Devaswom Minister forward of elections

By Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Thursday stated the incidents on the Sabarimala shrine in 2018 had been saddening to all however a closed chapter now. “The issue at Sabarimala in 2018 is a closed chapter for Kerala. That was painful and saddening to all of us. It should not have happened,” he stated referring to the controversial entry of girls and the slew of protests on the shrine at the moment.

The minister’s feedback forward of the meeting elections are considered as an try by the LDF to forestall a repeat of the backlash it confronted within the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The minister stated additional actions by his authorities on the difficulty will probably be in session with believers.

“The government has clearly stated its stand. The case is under consideration of a larger bench of the Supreme Court. I repeat, whatever be the verdict, the government will take a decision on it after consultations with devotees, political parties and the general public,” he advised mediapersons.

The minister stated the difficulty was a closed chapter. “Several festivals were conducted at the shrine afterwards. Devotees who are regulars at the shrine had opined that these festivals were more beautiful than those before the 2018 pilgrimage season. I’d attended all pilgrimage programmes several times. The issue is a closed chapter now,” he stated.    

After the controversial entry of two girls to the shrine, Kadakampally had responded that Sabarimala was no place for activism. The minister needed to change his stand after he confronted criticism from the get together. But after the humiliating defeat within the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the LDF and the state authorities have softened their stand in an obvious bid to regain the arrogance of devotees.