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The Commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board has denied that the Board has changed its position in the Sabarimala case in the Supreme Court.
On Thursday, N Vasu, the Commissioner, dismissed media reports that suggested a U-turn on the part of the Board. He said that it is up to the Board to take a decision on seeking extended time for implementing the September 28 verdict on the entry of women belonging to the restricted age group into the temple.
Explanation sought
The Commissioner’s clarification comes following a controversy over a reported ‘volte face’ by the Board in the Supreme Court with respect to its stand in the case. Board president A Padmakumar has sought an explanation from the Commissioner how its line of argument has aligned with that of the State government, which is for implementing the verdict.
The State unit of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar organisations, which have sided with the traditionalists and believers, have condemned the Board’s “change in stance”.
The Opposition Congress too has joined issue with the Board, given that the Sabarimala case is likely to emerge as the primary plank on which the impending Lok Sabha elections would be fought.
The Board Commissioner was responsible for handling the case in Delhi, in consultation with the lawyers.
The President said that he was not updated on any change in the Board’s position.
The Board had seemed reluctant to go against the sentiments of a large section of devotees and implement the verdict, which was hailed as historic and progressive for gender justice.
The Left Front government in the State has, on the other hand, insisted that it was bound to implement the verdict and ensure police protection for women who want to visit the temple, which created a law and order situation in the State.
On Thursday, Padmakumar clarified here that the Board’s lawyer was asked if it accepted the verdict. “We said we accept it, which is natural. There should be no discrimination against anyone in the matter of offering prayers. That is the stand we have taken.”
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