Prime Minister Narendra Modi who addressed a rally in north Kerala’s Kozhikkode on Friday made it clear that Sabarimala remained the party’s main poll plank in the state.
The Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an apex body of various Hindu organisations opposing the September 28 verdict on the hill temple, began its hymn- chanting protest outside the state secretariat on Saturday seeking the withdrawal of cases against its workers.
It alleged that the police were hounding its workers and most of them could not carry out their routine activities due to innumerable cases. After the Supreme Court verdict, which allowed women of all ages to worship at the temple, the state had witnessed widespread violence. At the height of the agitation three months ago, more than 10,000 people were booked.
“Most of them have been booked under non-bailable offences for chanting hymns. The police crackdown on believers is continuing. Some workers are facing 30 to 40 cases at different places. We want the government to withdraw these trumped up cases,” said Samiti leader K S Sasikala. The state had observed a shutdown when she was arrested last November on her way to the temple. She said sacrifices of devotees won’t be wasted and their Samiti would strengthen its stir in the coming days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who addressed a rally in north Kerala’s Kozhikkode on Friday made it clear that Sabarimala remained the party’s main poll plank in the state. Without mentioning the temple’s name, he said his party was committed to protect the age-old beliefs and customs of the people. He said in the name of a verdict some forces were trying to trample traditions of a large chunk of the people and promised Constitutional protection to them.
Source : Hindustan Times
