Thiruvananthapuram: Royal scion joins stir

Thiruvananthapuram: Royal family members led by Aswathi Tirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi on Wednesday joined the agitation against the demolition of the platform of the Kalmandapam at Padmatheertham on the eastern side of the Padmanabhaswamy temple without their prior permission. The royal family has customary rights in the temple administration.

A tense atmosphere prevailed in the area and police had to be called in as merchants association, Paura Samithy, Shiv Sena and several other organisations came out in support of the royal family members.

The stone platform of the Kalmandapam was demolished the other day. However, it came to the notice of palace authorities only on Wednesday. The Kalmandapam was demolished as part of the renovation works of the temple under the Rs 87.44-crore pilgrim circuit tourism project of the Union Tourism Ministry. An amount of Rs 1.64 crore has been earmarked for the renovation of the Kalmandapam being executed by Kerala Tourism.

Of the nine kalmandapams inside the Padmatheertham, the demolished one was the only structure which was built fully in granite. Authorities claim that the archaeological department had given the nod for renovation after they assured it that it would not change the design and that the same stones of the Kalmandapam would be used for the renovated structure also.

Nirmithi has been entrusted with the renovation work. As the protests worsened, health minister V. S. Sivakumar who is the local MLA contacted the temple administrative committee to find an amicable settlement.

Later, district collector  announced that he would call a meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue. Following this, the protestors, including royal family members, withdrew the protest.