Kochi, Kerala (VSK).
Sabarimala pilgrims do face deep anxiety and hardships; they escalate, thanks to the inadequacy of security measures and support services. Approximately more than 90,000 pilgrims visit Sabarimala a day, but the number of police personnel deployed for crowd control is 1,850. Out of 1,850 police personnel designated for crowd control, only 615 personnel are on duty for eight-hour shift. It led to problems in crowd management, particularly in Pamba the point of beginning of the pilgrimage of hill journey on foot to the hill top temple. And, the absence of the experienced officers has affected arrangements.
The same time, it is alleged that 2,250 police personnel are deployed for the security, in Idukki district, for much publicised Nava Kerala Sadas of the Pinarayi government. And, 2,200 personnel were reportedly present for the Chief Minister’s security in Ernakulam. Obviously, the number of officers at Sabarimala is too inadequate.
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has invited the wrath of the pilgrims due to insufficient bus services at Pamba and Nilakkal. It caused late night protests by the pilgrims. Now, the High Court has registered a suo-moto case concerning the rush at Sabarimala. Due to the uncontrollable rush and crowd, thousands of pilgrims returned sans darshan as they found it impossible to reach the shrine.
Meanwhile Thiruvithamcoor Dewaswom Board described the mess a ‘natural’ situation’ caused by week-end rush. But Board has to explain the reason for the rush on Monday and Tuesday.
Dewaswom Minister and CPM leader K. Radhakrishnan said, the issue is due to the changed queue system and the turnout of 100,000 pilgrims on a single day. He sees it as a ‘usual happening’ taking place when rush happens.
The death of a 10 years old pilgrim girl in the mess is allegedly due to hours long waiting in the sun and lack of drinking water.
BJP state president K. Surendran Xed that the neglect of basic facilities in Sabarimala by the Pinarayi government is frightening. He blamed lack of crowd control, drinking water and inadequate amenities for the fiasco. He alleged that CPM government gives more importance to political interests than to devotees’ safety. He stated that the things have moved to the extent of the tragic death of a ‘kid Malikappuram’ (little pilgrim girl). Surendran added that pilgrims do not get proper health facilities; they are ill-treated. This is unacceptable. He asked the LDF government to stop this negligence or face protests.
Former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan said that Devaswom Board, Police and KSRTC did not take any precautions to contain the huge rush which is reported to be increasing by 30% every year. He said that what is seen in Sabarimala is blatant violation of Constitutional rights. To go to Sabarimala is the Constitutional right of a pilgrim. He condemned the police action of beating a pilgrim who complained about his missing irumudikkettu (traditional bundle of coconut, ghee, etc. a pilgrim carries on his head for Sabarimala pilgrimage). Kummanam said that the pilgrim sustained head injury hence had to seek treatment at a hospital. The injured pilgrim is Kannan from Chirayankeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram district.
Hindu Aikyavedi state working president Valsan Thillankerry blamed the authorities for the entire mess in Sabarimala.
What Sabarimala witnesses is a blatant ill treatment
The pilgrims of Hindu faith suffer at the hands of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and CM Pinarayi Vijayan. The entire media highlight it. Even the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has condemned the government. Even workers of LDF condemn it off record during personal interactions.
