Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Sabarimala Karma Samithi, Swami Chidananda Puri, told devotees to never forget the brutal activities of Pinarayi Vijayan’s government at Sabarimala. Top officials including Superintended of Police P. Harishankar have given the leadership to violate the age old customs of the holy shrine.
The swami said that each person have the right to vote for those who fight for upholding the practices of Sabarimala. He reminded the devotees that Sabarimala Karma Samithi is not a political party and so have the right to speak out and remind the people about the atrocities done at Sabarimala by the government.
He said that the election moral code of conduct won’t be applicable to the Sabarimala Karma Samithi.
The Swami was speaking while inaugurating the nama-japa chanting of the devotees at Thiruvananthapuram. The Karma Samithi has begun another protest to raise opposition against the government’s move to suppress protestors by charging fake cases and arresting leaders of the movement.
Swami Chidananda Puri also spoke about the violations of tradition at Agastya Mountain, which is a heavily forested area, believed to have been the abode of sage Agastya. The forest and mountain is a delicate eco-system with many rare specious of plants and animals. It is also a place where unique medicinal herbs are available.
Devotees are only allowed once every year to take the pilgrimage to the abode of Agastya. Women were barred from taking the arduous journey to the Agasty Mountain, deep in the forest.
Recently, the government of Kerala allowed women to trek towards the mountain without taking into considerations the protests of the tribal community protecting the mountain.
The Swami said that the government has turned Agasty Mountain into a tourist spot.
The Hindu Aikya Vedi leader, K. P. Sasikala teacher, has said that the devotees will fight back if the government tries to suppress their protests.
She also lashed out against the government’s move to take-over the Theertha Pada Mandapa and warned that the Karma Samithi will take to the streets to protests against it.
The Sabarimala Karma Samithi stands united behind all those who were part of the historic protests against the government.