Kerala witnesses protests over Sabarimala Temple 'mismanagement' amid high footfall

In Kerala, demonstrations have erupted over alleged mismanagement at the Sabarimala temple, triggered by a surge in pilgrim numbers.

Tensions escalated following the tragic death of an 11-year-old girl during the pilgrimage to the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

The influx of pilgrims at Sabarimala has notably surged since December 6, resulting in extensive queues and overcrowding at the revered hillock temple. Reports reveal visitors enduring waits exceeding 18 hours, prompting instances where individuals breached barricades, leading to stampede-like scenarios and disorderly scenes along the steps.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has intervened, instructing officials to implement measures to manage the situation effectively without causing undue inconvenience to the pilgrims. Following an emergency meeting, the authorities decided to curtail the virtual queue booking limit by 10,000, reducing it to 80,000 per day, while also extending the darshan timing by an hour.

Outside the Secretariat in Sabarimala, BJP Yuva Morcha workers are staging protests, accusing the state government of mishandling the situation. Their grievances include the long queues and the lack of essential amenities along the pilgrimage route.

"Chief Minister is saying they didn't expect such a crowd. The pilgrims are suffering without food, water, and basic needs," BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan stated, highlighting the difficulties faced by the pilgrims.

The severity of the situation prompted the Kerala High Court to issue directives to aid the visiting pilgrims at the shrine. The court urged the Travancore Devaswom Board to explore options, including providing drinking water and biscuits at critical locations, possibly through assistance from NSS volunteers or local self-government bodies.

Additionally, the court instructed the police to prevent overcrowding in the queue complex and ensure daily maintenance of cleanliness to mitigate the challenges faced by devotees.