Gross violation of Human Rights of devotees at Sabarimala: Kerala human rights body

Taking a strong view of the lack of facilities for devotees at the shrine, visited by lakhs of devotees from all over the country and abroad, the commission directed the Travancore Devawom Board (TDB) Commissioner, Secretary LSGD and DGP to intervene in the matter urgently.

The officials have been asked to file a report within two weeks, Commission member P Mohandas said. The Ayyappa devotees visiting the shrine have been denied all basic amenities, the commission said.

“The toilet facilities are so poor that human faeces is now flowing in Pamba river making it more filthy, causing severe health hazard to the devotees and others,” the commission said. There is no water in toilets, forcing them to make Pamba river filthy.

Referring to media reports, the commission said police officials on duty at the shrine have also been denied basic facilities. The officials of local panchayat at Chengannur, Nilackal and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) are turning a “blind eye” to these “naked violations” of human rights, it added.

The famous hill temple had opened Friday evening for the two-month-long annual pilgrimage season as a stand-off continued over entry of menstrual age women into the shrine.

From the homepage

India warns of ‘likely humanitarian consequences’ after US H-1B visa fee hike

Explained: H-1B visas, Indians, and the immigration discourse in the US

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2023