Kerala government destroying Ayyappa Temple's uniqueness: State BJP Chief Pillai
What's the story
Spearheading a campaign against the Kerala government over the Sabarimala issue, state BJP chief PS Sreedharan Pillai alleged the CPI(M)-led dispensation was making the Lord Ayyappa shrine "a center of dispute to destroy its uniqueness."
Condemning police action against "peacefully agitating" devotees, he said BJP will extend all possible assistance to the protesters to protect the hill shrine from the "hidden agenda of atheists."
Details
BJP, Sangh Parivar to expand ongoing agitation against Kerala government
Pillai said BJP and Sangh Parivar will expand the ongoing agitation against the state government's "hasty move" to implement the Supreme Court verdict, permitting entry of women of all age groups into the temple, to other parts of the country.
"What is going in Kerala (over Sabarimala) is a fight between devotees and atheists," the Kerala BJP chief said.
Devotees' protest
BJP workers will continue to join devotees' protest: Pillai
"BJP workers will continue to join the devotees' protest if any woman in the menstrual age group tries to enter the temple. The devotees have so far succeeded in preventing such women from breaking the custom," Pillai said.
He said the government didn't permit the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers the shrine, to file a review petition against the SC's September 28 order.
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We just extended our support to the Hindu faithful: Pillai
"It was the Hindu faithful who launched an agitation against the state government. They all hit the streets against the government's move to destroy the unique nature of the temple and Lord Ayyappa faith. We just extended our support to them," Pillai said.
Hill shrine
Pillai says Sabarimala is not an ordinary temple
Pillai said BJP will continue to support the devotees' demand that the hill shrine's centuries-old custom be protected.
"Sabarimala is not an ordinary temple. It is unique. But the CPI(M) wanted to make it an ordinary temple by destroying its centuries-old custom," he said.
Pillai, who's also a practicing Kerala HC advocate, alleged the CPI(M) had always been trying to "destroy" the Sabarimala temple.
On CPI(M)
CPI(M) will never succeed in destroying Sabarimala: Pillai
"They [CPI(M)] want to destroy Sabarimala. But they will never succeed," Pillai asserted.
Criticizing the heavy police deployment at the 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex), the BJP leader said it was done without setting up basic facilities like building toilets and ensuring drinking water for crores of devotees, who will be visiting the shrine during the two-month long 'Mandala-Makaravilakku' season.
The pilgrimage season began Saturday.