Fund drive for Sabarimala idol: Kerala HC intervenes
A bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and S Muralee Krishna directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to issue an advisory on the Virtual-Q platform clarifying that no person has been authorised to install such an idol, nor has anyone been permitted to collect money from the purpose. The direction was issued based on a report by the Sabarimala special commissioner.
According to the report, E K Sahadevan, chairman of Lotus Multispeciality Hospital and IVF Fertility Centre, Erode, allegedly circulated a pamphlet claiming that the TDB had permitted him to install the Panchaloha Vigraham and it would not interfere with the temple structure or rituals.
The idol would be 2 feet in height, weigh 108kg and cost around Rs 9 lakh. The pamphlet also contained details of a bank account number and a mobile number for the public to contribute funds.
However, the report noted that the Sabarimala tantri has stated that he has no knowledge of such an initiative and that installing an idol would violate temple rituals and affect the sanctity of the principal deity. The report also included a communication from the TDB secretary to the Sabarimala executive officer, stating that the board had decided to permit the installation of an idol of Lord Ayyappa within the temple premises, 'without causing any kind of hindrance to the structure and rituals of the temple.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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While considering the matter, the TDB's standing counsel, on telephonic instructions from the executive officer, submitted that no official permission has been granted to install the idol or collect money from the public. HC, however, directed the counsel to produce the relevant files relating to the communication by Friday, and adjourned the matter.
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