Travancore Devaswom Board may seek time from Supreme Court

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board is likely to approach the Supreme Court seeking more time to implement the Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the temple.

The board is expected to take a decision on the matter at its meeting scheduled for Friday. Earlier, the chief minister is understood to have told the members of Pandalam royal family and Tantri family members that it was not possible for the government to seek more time, but the Board could do so if it wished. 

Pandalam Palace coordination committee president  P.G. Shashi Kumara Varma said that during the meeting with chief minister,  they pleaded that entry of women from the restricted age group should not be allowed at any cost during the forthcoming pilgrim season. 

“We told him that our lawyers had advised that if the government or the board files a petition before the apex court citing the present difficulties and impasse over women’s entry, there are bright chances of getting some more time to implement the verdict,” P.G. Shashi Kumara Varma said.

On this the chief minister made it clear that the government cannot seek more time from the apex court, but it was up to the Devaswom Board to come to a decision on the issue. This clearly indicates a major climb-down on the part of the government.