Thiruvananthapuram: Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan on Thursday appealed to the Opposition MLAs, who are on a sathyagraha in front of the Assembly, to withdraw their strike. Mr Jayarajan made the appeal at the beginning of zero hour saying that Speaker Sreeramakrishnan had urged the government to take steps to end the strike.
However, he said the government could not withdraw the prohibitory orders at Sabarimala as there are chances of law and order problems in view of the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of young women in the temple, he said.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala pointed out that the issue had brought disrespect to the state as reported in national and international media. On the one hand, the BJP was creating problems at Sabarimala, and on the other the prohibitory orders had created fears in the minds of devotees. If the prohibitory orders were revoked, the devotees will have the confidence to visit the temple, he said.
He wanted the speaker to convene a meeting in his office to settle the issue. Later, the Opposition boycotted the House when the Calicut University (Alternate Arrangement Temporarily of the senate senate and syndicate) Bill, 2018 was taken up for discussion. The Opposition has been protesting against Higher Education Minister K.T. Jaleel who is facing charges of nepotism.
