LI Network
Published on: December 26, 2023 at 14:10 IST
The Kerala High Court has issued detailed directives for the Mandala-Makaravilakku Festival, instructing the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to provide essential facilities to stranded pilgrims.
The Court emphasized that any failure by the TDB to fulfill its statutory duty would be treated seriously.
The Court’s directives came after the Special Commissioner of Sabarimala submitted a report in response to the Court’s November 14, 2023, orders on crowd management during the festival.
The Court observed that stranded pilgrims at specified locations must be provided with drinking water and light refreshments with the support of the Police, District Administration, or the Local Self-Government Institution.
The Special Commissioner’s Report addressed issues raised in the Court’s previous order, including the regulation of vehicle movement and safety measures, especially for women, children, and senior citizens. The Court emphasized a ‘hold and release’ mechanism for vehicle movement and directed police to conduct sector patrolling.
The District Police Chief’s report highlighted pilgrims’ lack of awareness about real-time queues, crowds, and weather conditions, leading to conflicts with the police. To address this, the Court instructed the TDB to update the ‘live status’ of queues and crowds on their website. The information was also to be announced through public announcement systems at Edathavalams.
The Court further directed the TDB to ensure proper facilities for pilgrims during the festival, with Temple Advisory Committees assisting the Sub-Group Officer, and Assistant Devaswom Commissioners conducting periodic inspections.
In subsequent orders, the Court limited spot booking to 10,000 when Virtual-Q bookings reached 80,000, later increasing the limit to 15,000. The Court maintained restrictions on entry without Virtual-Q or spot booking, communicated to pilgrims through media.
The recent update reported a total footfall of over 1,25,000 pilgrims at Sannidhanam on December 24, 2023. Citing the responsibilities of the TDB under the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, the Court stressed the obligation to provide facilities, including Annadhanam, drinking water, and toilet facilities, to stranded pilgrims.
The Court directed the State Police Chief to monitor crowd management at specified locations and the Devaswom Commissioner to ensure facilities for stranded pilgrims. The TDB was instructed to request pilgrims to leave promptly after darshan to reduce footfall, and stranded pilgrims were to be allowed to move towards Nilakkal and Pamba for darshan.
The Court listed the matter for further consideration on January 3, 2024, expecting reports from Assistant Commissioners and an affidavit from the Devaswom Commissioner.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State Of Kerala
