BJP is with devotees in Sabarimala issue, says Amit Shah

Kannur : Breaking his silence over the agitation of the devotees against the implementation of the Supreme Court order permitting women of all ages in Sabarimala, BJP president Amit Shah said the party is with the devotees. He also said the courts should issue only those orders which can be implemented.

“The state government is trying to oppress the agitation of the Ayyappa devotees, using its might but the entire country is with them in their struggle for their rights,” said BJP president addressing a public meeting here, after inaugurating the district office of the BJP on Saturday.

As part of this oppression by the government, over 2,000 devotees have been arrested after charging under ‘Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act’, but the government should make clear whose properties these arrested people damaged, he demanded.

He also said there is a plan to appoint over 1,500 DYFI workers as special police officers in Sabarimala, and alleged that it is part of the move to oppress the devotees. Shah also warned that the people would not hesitate to pull down the government if it goes ahead with the oppressive move against the devotees, and said this government would not survive for long.

There are many traditions going on in the temples in the country, but the government is trying to bring the Devaswom Board under its control to go against the traditions. He also criticised the apex court order in this regard.

“The courts should issue only those orders that can be implemented and there is some apparent contradiction in the present order,” he said. Though Article 14 of the Constitution provides for equality before the law, Articles 25 and 26 give the right for practice and propagation of religion, he said, supporting the struggle of the devotees.

Source : TOI