Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan on Sunday made it clear that Bindu Ammini, one of the women activists who entered the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in 2019, will not be invited to take part in the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam, PTI reported
While talking to a television channel, the minister said there was no need for her to take part in the event being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in association with the state government.
"She won't be allowed to take part in the Ayyappa Sangamam at any cost," Vasavan said.
The minister was replying to a question about whether Ammini, who reportedly sent a letter to the government expressing her desire to take part in the event, would be permitted to attend the Sangamam.
Ammini was in the news for visiting the Sabarimala temple in 2019 following a Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to pray at the hill shrine.
Vasavan said the Sangamam is an event targeting real devotees of Lord Ayyappa who visit the Sabarimala regularly and those who visit the shrine while coming to the state under the aegis of some outfits or in connection with various events.
The representatives of such outfits and such devotees are invited to take part in the event, he explained.
"She (Ammini) does not belong to any such categories. So, there is no need to invite her... and no need for her to take part in it," Vasavan added.
The Sangamam is organised by the TDB as part of its 75th anniversary in association with the Kerala government on September 20 at Pampa.
The proposed event continued to trigger reactions among various political parties and community outfits in the state on Sunday, as well.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged that the Left government, which facilitated the entry of women at Sabarimala years ago, was trying to do "penance" for their deeds by organising Ayyappa Sangamam.
He said what the devotees of Lord Ayyappa want from the government is effective arrangements to ensure a smooth darshan at the hill shrine.