Thiruvananthapuram: The three UDF MLAs who are on a satyagraha in the Assembly complex have strongly criticised the government decision to extend prohibitory orders in Sabarimala and decided to continue their agitation.
V. S. Sivakumar, who is observing satyagraha in Assembly along with N.Jayaraj of Kerala Congress (M) and Parackal Abdulla of the Muslim League, accused the government of completely disregarding their views on Sabarimala. "The government failed to even hold discussion with us before extending the prohibitory orders. The decision amounts to humiliating the legislators," he said.
He said the UDF will continue its agitation in Assembly complex till the prohibitory orders are withdrawn from the hill shrine. On High Court observations upholding the decisions taken by the government in Sabarimala, Sivakumar said it was based on the status report submitted by the authorities concerned. The government had strongly advocated the need for continuing prohibitory orders in Sabarimala. The UDF MLAs alleged that the number of devotees had decreased hugely this season. Till last year 4 to 5 lakh devotees used to visit Sabarimala daily. The number of devotees has come down to 75,000 to 1 lakh. "The government is preventing devotees from visiting the shrine. Who will come if prohibitory orders are clamped every where ," Sivakumar asked.
With the government making no efforts resolve the satyagraha by MLAs in Assembly complex, the front organisations of the UDF are getting restive. KSU took to streets on Saturday against the government over Sabarimala issue. The march taken to Secretariat turned violent with the police using water cannon and mild lathicharge to chase away the protestors. Four persons including a cop were injured in the incident.
