Sabarimala pilgrims should Stand Strong, Voice Grievances against State Govt’s Damp Attitude: Kummanam Rajashekharan

Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam General secretary Kummanam Rajashekharan has sought immediate measure from state government and Devaswom Board for initiating necessary steps to ensure that Sabarimala bound pilgrims have their share of facilities while undertaking the pilgrimage. He said that Mandalam season was fast approaching and government has been displaying a damp attitude regarding provision of facilities to Ayyappa devotees.

Addressing the gathering at Sree Guruvayurappan Temple in Pattambi, during the inauguration of Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam Samsthana Padhana Shibiram, Kummanam Rajashekharan said, “Ayyappa devotees are being exploited because they do not have the competence to react. Sabarimala bound pilgrims should understand that along with devotion, the strength and courage to stand together, to react and respond are also important. Trivialization by authorities and various bodies in charge, towards various challenges and threats being faced by pilgrims when brought to their notice, is a dangerous trend.”

“It is a gross violation of human rights, to think that there are no basic facilities in a pilgrim centre like Sabarimala, where an approximate of five crore devotees arrive to pray. Facilities like stay, food, drinking water, medical facilities and treatment, peaceful darshan of the Lord etc should be granted to devotees, free of cost. For this, dharmasalas, centres for food distribution, sheds to provide drinking water should be set up. The government has to ensure that devotees pass through a peaceful, exploitation free environment,” said Kummanam Rajashekharan, adding that he has made the necessary communications with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to take steps to ensure that Sabarimala is given the status of National Pilgrim Centre.

“However, the state government has not done its part, towards creation of basic facilities for Ayyappa devotees or resolving issues being faced by devotees. Where then lies the commitment in the Chief Minister’s request to the Prime Minister, for granting status of National Pilgrim centre to Sabarimala? The Chief Minister should be undertaking a trip to Vaishno Devi and Tirupathi, to understand how these holy places acquired the Nation status,” he added.