Sabarimala stir 'deliberate' attempt to destroy unity: Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today criticised those agitating against his government's move to implement the Supreme Court verdict on entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, saying "deliberate" efforts were being made to destroy the state's unity and secular fabric.

Asserting that his government was committed to protecting the religious beliefs and customs of different religions and places of worship, he said there was no question of succumbing to "politically motivated" efforts to create tension in the state.

"The people of Kerala faced the recent unprecedented floods united but deliberate efforts are now being made to destroy that unity, to destroy the secular fabric," he told reporters.

Holding out an olive branch, Vijayan also made it clear that the government was prepared for talks with all concerned if they had any misunderstandings over the state's stand on the issue.

Joining the issue for the first time, Travancore Royal family member Gowri Lakshmi Bayi said it was "very painful" to hear about the recent developments relating to the Sabarimala temple.

"It is sad to note that centuries-old traditions are being violated," she said in a statement in the city.

Reaffirming the government's stand not to seek a review of the SC verdict, Vijayan said the government in its earlier affidavit had made it clear that it would implement the court's order.

The government will go ahead with all the "democratic and progressive steps" needed for enriching and empowering women in society. He said his government's policy was to ensure equality and justice to all.

He credited various social reform movements initiated by Narayana Guru, Swami Vivekananda, Chattambi Swamigal and others for the state's progress.

Attacking the main opposition Congress and the BJP for the agitations against the Supreme Court order, he said the Congress will "destroy" itself by joining hands with communal elements, and accused the saffron party of having "double standards" on the issue.

The chief minister described as "ridiculous" the U- turn by Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, who welcomed the Supreme Court verdict before demanding that the government file a review petition against it.

In BJP-ruled Maharashtra, the government had implemented the Bombay High Court orders on entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali dargah and Shani Shinganapur temple, he said, adding it showed the "double standards" of the saffron party.

Vijayan said the Left Democratic Front government had taken a number of women-friendly initiatives, including raising a women-only battalion, and increasing their presence in the state police and fire services.

Meanwhile, Chennithala blamed the LDF government for the "crisis". "The UDF is with the believers. We will not lend any support to anybody to hurt the sentiments of believers," the Congress leader told reporters.

The previous Congress-led UDF government headed by Oommen Chandy had filed an affidavit in the apex court noting that the rituals and beliefs of Sabarimala temple and its devotees should be protected.

Chennithala said the LDF government, however, took a different stand.

"The UDF will not allow converting Sabarimala into a war zone. We are against violent protests and hartals. Our stand is that the faith of believers will be protected," he said.

The Congress leader said it was the Centre's responsibility to protect all religions and accused the BJP and RSS of misleading people on the issue.

"The RSS-BJP combine is trying to mislead the people and is launching violent agitations. We are with the believers and want to protect their faith," he said.

Ayyappa devotees are holding prayer meetings and marches across the state over the past few days demanding that the government seek a review of the SC verdict.

The Pandalam royal family that has been associated with the Lord Ayyappa temple and that of the tantri (head priest) have opposed the government's decision to implement the apex court's order.