The Kerala High Court while hearing a petition seeking to restrict entry of non-Hindus in Sabarimala temple, expressed its displeasure over the police excesses at the Sabarimala temple. The Kerala High Court made these observations while hearing a petition filed by BJP leader T G Mohandas.
The Kerala Communist government with the help of state police force had turned the area near Sabarimala into a war zone after some devotees had clashed with the police. The Kerala police had reportedly resorted to stone pelting and lathi charging against devotees after situation went out of control. The Kerala High Court has now asked details regarding the excessive force by the government with respect to the police excesses unleashed on the devotees.
Meanwhile, the Court also considered the petition which requested a judicial enquiry on the police atrocities against the devotees who were carrying peaceful protests against the Supreme Court judgement to allow the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala shrine. The Kerala High court has also ordered that necessary action should be taken against those police officials who acted disproportionately.
However, the Kerala HC bench comprising of Justice P R Ramachandran and Devan Ramachandran dismissed Mohandas’s plea which sought to restrict entry of Non-Hindus into Sabarimala. The court observed that such decisions would destroy the communal harmony and observed that Sabarimala is a religious centre which welcomes devotees from all faiths and was a symbol of communal harmony.
The Kerala High Court also dismissed a plea filed by four women asking for police protection to enter the Sabarimala shrine. The Court termed the fear of women petitioners as “premature” and said that it has informed the court that adequate security would be provided to a ‘true devotee’.