The joint press-meet convened by Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Sabarimala Thantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru, and Devaswom Board President K Vasu, have informed the media that Sabarimala temple wouldn’t open on June 14th. Thus, the much debated controversy has come to an end. Minister informed that the festival has been postponed indefinitely and no devotees would be allowed to enter the temple. He however said that the monthly rituals would continue to be performed in the temple. Thantri, during the press meet, said that there exist no feud between the Devaswom Board and the Thantri. He maintained that initially he was unaware of the option of opting out from opening the temple, Thantri added that the decision was aimed at the benefit of the pilgrims. He also criticized the over politicization of the incident and stated that he had no alliance with any political parties and ideologies.
It was yesterday, which the Sabarimala Thantri composed a letter to the Devaswom Board regarding his stance of unwillingness to open the temple. Soon then Devaswom Board President K Vasu retaliated that it was not up to the Thantri to decide on matters regarding the technical aspects of the functioning of the temple. While speaking during the press meet, Devaswom Board President K Vasu stated that there exists no grudge between the board and the Thantri, he however maintained that he felt sad when a different opinion came from the Thantri, which he hadn’t mentioned on the previous occasion. Anyhow, Minister opined that the government had no vested interest in the issue of opening up of temples in the state, and said that certain sections were trying to make this a political opportunity. Earlier on the day, considering the Covid threat and the confusion regarding the opening of the temple, authorities had paused the virtual queue procedures.
