Erumeli, Kerala. In response to the severe exploitation and disregard faced by Ayyappa devotees visiting Erumeli during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season, a protest march was organized under the leadership of the Sabarimala Karma Samiti and various Hindu community organizations. The protest started from the Peta Sastha Temple, inaugurated with a speech by Swami Satswaroopananda Saraswati, the State Organization Secretary of the Marg Darshak Mandal. Swami called for a government that, respects and serves devotees, rather than humiliates them. Hundreds of Ayyappa devotees joined the protest, which began at the Erumeli Peta Sastha Temple and concluded at the Sridharmashastha Tower.
Hindu Aikyavedi State Patron K.P. Sasikala Teacher delivered the keynote address. She stated that no one has the right to exploit Ayyappa devotees under the guise of religious harmony. She emphasized that neither the parking grounds nor merchants have the right to set prices for the traditional items used in the ritualistic Petta Thullal. This responsibility, she argued, belongs to the Hindu community and the Devaswom Board. She pointed out that the government decided on a virtual queue system only, without offering a spot booking option. However, even after choosing the virtual queue system, there was no preparation or planning. Sasikala Teacher noted that this lack of readiness was evident when the temple was opened in the month of Thulam.
She highlighted the lack of basic amenities, stating that Ayyappa devotees do not even have access to drinking water. The railings along the pilgrim paths, installed for climbers’ support, are rusted and deteriorating. Devotees now need to secure time tickets (TT) even before reaching Sannidhanam. The price of Aravana has been increased without any clear guidelines, with a price hike of 20 rupees. Sasikala Teacher accused the Devaswom Board and the government of exploiting Ayyappa devotees to the maximum extent possible. She insisted that no extra charges be imposed on devotees.
Sasikala Teacher further warned that if this exploitation continues to drain the resources of devotees, public scrutiny and backlash will ensue. The Karma Samiti officials put forward demands, including standardized pricing for parking grounds and restrooms, reasonable pricing of ritualistic offerings for Petta Thullal, and provision of essential amenities for Ayyappa devotees. They also warned that if these demands were not met, they would intensify protest.
Hindu Aikyavedi State Spokesperson E.S. Biju, Ayyappa Seva Samajam State Joint General Secretary Adv. Jayan Cheruvalli, Sabarimala Karma Samiti President N.R. Velukutti, General Secretary S. Manoj, and Joint Secretary P.M. Ananthu also addressed the gathering.
