Calling the meeting “a drama”, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and the BJP have walked out of the all-party meeting on Sabarimala called by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
On Nov 16, the temple will reopen for the Mandala Makaravillakku pilgrim season.
However, the govt has made its stand clear that if any woman decides to visit the temple during this period it is duty bound to arrange security.
“Supreme Court clearly says that the September 28 verdict stands. It means that the entry of women should be allowed. Govt cannot take any stand against this verdict. We respect the feelings of the devotees. We are bound to implement court verdict”, said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan addressing a press conference after the meeting.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court has decided to hear the review petitions against Sabarimala Judgment allowing women of all ages to enter the hilltop shrine, in open Court on January 22. The SC, however, had iterated that it was not putting a stay on the decision and that women will be allowed to enter the temple when it opens tomorrow. A total of 48 review petitions will be taken up on January 22.
“All the Review Petitions along with all pending applications will be heard in Open Court on 22nd January 2019 before the appropriate Bench. We make it clear that there is no stay of the judgment and order of this Court dated 28th September 2018 passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No.373 of 2006 (Indian Young Lawyers Association & Ors. vs.The State of Kerala & Ors.)”, states the Order.
The hill temple will open on Saturday and close only on January 14, with a small break in between. There will be two breaks–Mandalam (November 16-December 27) and Makara vilakku (December 30-Jan 14, 2019).
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