Kerala govt should have sought more time: Former DGP K J Joseph on Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government should have sought time for implementing the Supreme Court directive allowing women of all ages to Sabarimala instead of putting the police under tremendous pressure to implement it in short notice amidst the strong protests, according to former DGP K.J. Joseph.

Many serving police officers are also of the opinion that had the government bought some time for implementing the SC order citing the serious administrative issues, the protests against the SC order could also have been eased to some extent. Even the government could have got sufficient time to create awareness among the masses on the need for implementing the order.

Lack of sufficient amenities for women at Sabarimala, devastation of the existing amenities at Pampa by the flood and need to have make proper crowd control facilities for women were sufficient grounds to seek time for implementing the SC order, they pointed out. “Even while welcoming the SC order in its true spirit, the government could have sought time for implementing the SC order citing the genuine administrative grounds,” Mr Joseph told DC. “The SC had only lifted the ban on entry of women of some age categories, but did not insist that it should be implemented at once. Hence there was nothing wrong in seeking at least a few months time to set up the facility," he said.

Mr. Joseph also said that since the government had assured that they would provide protection to the women who turn up at Sabarimala, the government should have ensured that on Wednesday, he said.