Sabarimala- HAV Fast at Nadapandal

SABARIMALA: The Hindu Aikyavedi on Monday observed a fast at the Nadapandal in front of Lord Ayyappa temple in protest against the alleged failure of the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Government in providing basic facilities and hurting religious sentiments.

Inaugurating the dusk-to-dawn fast, Hindu Aikyavedi organising secretary N. Radhakrishnan sought a high-level inquiry by a Central agency into the functioning of the present TDB and the award of the aravana contract.

The Aikyavedi leader said that denial of basic facilities to the pilgrims was part of a larger conspiracy to sabotage the Sabarimala pilgrimage and hurt the religious sentiments of crores of pilgrims.

Dismissal of TDB sought: Radhakrishnan urged the State Government to dismiss the TDB in the wake of the all-round failure in providing facilities for the pilgrims and the denial of aravana prasadam.

He sought the resignation of the Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran for his inept handling of the Sabarimala affairs and lack of coordination of Government agencies for a smooth pilgrimage.

Call to deploy army: Radhakrishnan sought the deployment of Army at Sabarimala to meet any emergency situation. Aikyavedi secretary K. Haridas, Hindu Sambava Sabha general secretary K. K. Thankappan, K. A. Ravindran, E. S. Biju and K. V. Haridas were present on the occasion.