Thiruvananthapuram: During the Sabarimala ‘Mandala Pooja’, the Kerala Police is planning to deploy around 10,000 personnel in and around the shrine. This huge contingent will be deployed in five phases starting from 15 November.
The force will consist of 24 Superintendents of Police and ASPs, 112 Dy.SPs, 264 Inspectors, and 1185 Sub-Inspectors. In addition there would be 8402 Civil Police officers, which will include 307 women officers.
Last year, the Sabarimala pilgrimage was marred with the women entry issue after the Supreme Court ordered that women of all age can enter the holy shrine in violation to ancient traditions. According to traditions, menstruating women are banned from entering the shrine to worship the celibate Lord Ayyappa.
However, the over enthusiastic CPI(M) led government had used excessive force against innocent devotees in the name of executing the apex court’s verdict.
Women, including those from minority religions, tried to enter the shrine citing the court’s verdict. This pained the Ayyappa devotees who tried to stop these women from violating ancient traditions.
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayai Vijayan, had said that it is not possible to make laws to circumvent the apex court’s order permitting entry of women of all age to Sabarimala Temple.
This week, the Supreme Court is expected to deliver its verdict on the review pleas submitted from many quarters against the court’s earlier judgment allowing women entry.
