Thiruvananthapuram: Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram won't appear for the Travancore Devaswom Board in Supreme Court on Tuesday when it will consider the review petitions submitted against its judgement that allowed women of all age groups to enter the Sabarimala temple.
Board president A Padmakumar alleged that a prominent outfit was the reason behind the backing out of the senior advocate. "No matter who objects, the board will have a representative in the SC,” he added.
It is said Sundaram backed off as he had earlier represented the Nair Service Society (NSS) in a case. Lawyer Shekhar Naphade will be representing TDB at the SC instead.
The apex court verdict of September 28 had lifted the centuries-old ban on women devotees between the 10-50 age group.
After the CPM-led LDF government made it clear that it was constitutionally bound to implement the SC verdict, devotees and right-wing outfits had launched massive protests and prayer marches against the entry of young women. Over 3,700 people had been arrested for violence during the protests across the state after the historic SC ruling which opened doors of Sabarimala temple to all women.
Govt to call all-party meet?
Meanwhile, sources said that the LDF government in Kerala might call an all-party meeting over the Sabarimala row. The decision on whether to call the meet depends on the outcome of the SC verdict. Devaswom president said that he was happy over the government move. The Pinarayi government had earlier rejected the opposition's demand for an all-party meet.
No interference
The government has informed the Kerala High Court has that it would not interfere in the day-to-day affairs at the temple. The government said that it would only intevene in security affairs. In an affidavit submitted in the court, the government further said that pilgrims would not be stopped. It further said that the Chief Minister had never interfered in temple affairs.
On November 5, the Kerala HC had made it clear that the government had no right to interfere in the day-to-day affairs of the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala and its role was to maintain law and order in the area.
The court also flayed the government and the police over causing hardships to the pilgrims trekking to Sabarimala for the darshan of Lord Ayyappa.
