Thiruvananthapuram: Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran on Sunday said Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan should not have locked horns with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the meeting held at Sabarimala on Thursday.
Mr Surendran said he showed disrespect and was rude towards the CM at the meeting held to discuss preparations for the mandalam season and he should not have expressed his opinion about women’s entry to the hill shrine.
“He was trying for publicity. He is a staunch communalist, and it was evident from the way he spoke. A Devaswom president needs not be emotive but should be understanding,” he said.
He said Mr Gopalakrishnan was keen to quit though the government had not sought it and that he didn’t have the right to demand his resignation. If he does not wish to continue, he said, then it would be discussed with the appropriate party officials.
“His hunger strike was in violation of a Supreme Court order and collection of money for Sabarimala darshan was only a suggestion of the CM,” he said.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said a consensus was needed on the issue and that rituals and customs in practice for several decades can’t be changed overnight.
“Proper discussions have to be initiated to reach a decision,” he said.
