THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress has entrusted former Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan to hold discussions with all parties concerned to protect the interest of the believers in the light of the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of women in Sabarimala.
This followed a meeting of the former presidents and members of Travancore, Kochi and Malabar devaswom boards held at Cantonment House, the official residence of Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala, on Thursday.
Mr Chennithala called the meeting after AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surejwala clarified that the KPCC was free to demand a review of the judgment. He had said in New Delhi on Wednesday that there could be no discrimination on the ground of gender or sex as per the Constitution. The meeting considered the possibility of filing a review petition before the SC. KPCC president Mullapally Ramachandran and Mr K. Muraleedharan MLA also attended it.
Mr Chennithala told reporters that the CPM and BJP were having double standard on the verdict and were using it to implement the uniform civil code.
On the eve of the protest meeting called by the Pathanamthitta DCC against the verdict, Mr Chennithala said that if the RSS and BJP were sincere about Ayyappa devotees, they should ask the centre to amend the law to bypass the order.
"Their stand baffles the devotees and the verdict has hurt their sentiments, especially that of women. How can the people's protest be ignored? The chief minister's stand on the issue is fake," he said.
The affidavit given by the previous Oommen Chandy government supporting the believers was relevant even now, he said and added that the stand of the Congress party and the UDF was the same. He clarified that only those who joined as parties in the issue could file a review petition.
"Since Prayar is no longer the TDB president, he cannot file a review petition. The Congress party cannot turn its back on the demand of the believers," he added.
