Date:08/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/08/stories/2008010855760800.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Desist from protests over Sabarimala, says Sudhakaran

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran on Monday urged leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala to avoid demonstrations and protests over the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

In a statement here, the Minister said that the Opposition should understand the facts about the situation and refrain from making unnecessary noise.

The Congress should not be organising agitations over issues connected to Sabarimala.

Mr. Sudhakaran said that he wished to discuss the issues with Mr. Chandy. The Opposition should cooperate with the government. He was also prepared for talks with the BJP, provided it abandoned clamour.

He was collecting intelligence from Sabarimala and there were no reports that Mr. Chandy tried to foment trouble at Sabarimala. However, his statement that some people were trying to instigate trouble at Sabarimala proved to be right.

BJP flayed

The BJP had created pandemonium at several places. Some Devaswom workers had stolen various items from the temple. Though ‘aravana’ was now available in sufficient quantities, protests were being launched.

A review meeting held at Sabarimala was disrupted under the leadership of Sivadasan Nair, MLA. The BJP and the UDF created trouble at the review meeting called by C.S. Sujatha, MP.