Kerala MPs Hold Protest Outside In Parliament, Demand Security For Sabarimala Pilgrims

New Delhi

Kerala Members of Parliament staged a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament, urging enhanced security measures for Sabarimala pilgrims. The MPs participating in the protest called for the provision of essential facilities, as well as the overall safety and security of those undertaking the pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

NK Premachandran, a leader of the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), expressed concern over the lack of arrangements by the state government to cater to the needs of the multitude of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala annually. He highlighted the unfortunate conditions faced by devotees, including an 18-hour wait for darshan, the absence of medical facilities, drinking water shortages, and inadequate transportation options. Moreover, he emphasized the insufficient police protection, citing a tragic incident where an 8-year-old girl died while waiting in the queue. Despite this, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government failed to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Premachandran emphasized the demand for increased police deployment, urging urgent intervention by the National Disaster Management Authority. He announced plans for a sit-in protest in the Assembly, with all MPs submitting an adjournment notice for the same. Abdul Basheer from IUML underscored that the protest aimed to safeguard the well-being of Sabarimala pilgrims. As the primary pilgrimage center in South India, Sabarimala requires the government's immediate attention to guarantee the safety of devotees. Basheer stated that numerous appeals had been made to the government to address these concerns, and the protest served as a means to bring public attention to the issue. He urged the government to take prompt measures to ensure the security of Sabarimala pilgrims.