KOCHI: The Kerala government and Travancore Devasom Board welcomed the
Supreme Court verdict
, allowing entry of women of all age groups to Sabarimala hill shrine. The order predictably, did not go well with the Sabarimala thantri and Panthalam royal family.
Devaswom and tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said the government wholeheartedly welcomed the SC order. ''We welcome the order. It gives equal justice to women. However, its the responsibility of Devasom board to implement the order in its original spirit. There may be some practical difficulties, but the board is expected to overcome all impediments towards implementing the SC verdict'', the minister said.
Travancore Devasom Board president A Padmakumar too welcomed the order and said the board would take all earnest efforts to implement the order.
''Even though there is difference of opinion, the Travancore Devaswom Board is bound to accept and implement the
Supreme Court verdict'', said board president A Padmakumar.
The order will be executed after having discussions with the state govt, thantri of Sabarimala and Pandalam palace authorities. "TDB is a law binding institution and hence the supreme court verdict will be implemented without fail. There should not be any concern on this, said TDB president.
Sabarimala priest Kandararu Rajeevaru said the order was unfortunate as it has interrupted an age old tradition. Pandalam Royal family representatives too expressed concern over the order and said a final opinion on the same could be formulated only after reading the verdict.