ALAPPUZHA: A division bench of the High Court is likely to hear a petition on Monday against the ‘Chooral Muriyal’ ritual (breaking the cane) to be conducted at the Chettikulangara Devi temple on February 22. The court had on March 7 last upheld the ban imposed against the ritual by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR). But the temple defied the ban and performed the ritual last year.
The temple authorities are busy preparing for the ritual to be held as part of the Kumba Bharani festival from next week. Following the court’s direction, the TDB and KeSCPCR had filed affidavits in the case. As per the 250-year-old regressive practice, children from poor families are bought and offered as symbolic ‘Bali’ (sacrifice) to the deity. At least 24 children will be subjected to the ritual this year.
