Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has criticized the Kerala government, asserting that devotees from Tamil Nadu are facing inconvenience at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Annamalai expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged lack of preparedness and poor crowd management, placing blame on the Communist Kerala Government. He emphasized that devotees, including those from Tamil Nadu, experienced unprecedented challenges this year, enduring queues for hours without basic amenities.
In a statement on X, Annamalai urged the Kerala government to promptly address the situation, ensuring devotees' safety and providing essential facilities. He called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to intervene for the well-being of the devotees, emphasizing that most affected individuals are from Tamil Nadu.
Highlighting the significant rush at the Lord Ayyappa temple during the Mandala Pooja, Annamalai underscored the need for efficient crowd management and adequate amenities. He stressed that the Kerala government's alleged negligence has led to extreme hardships for devotees.
Addressing Chief Minister Stalin on X, Annamalai reminded him of the responsibility to advocate for the safety of devotees, particularly those from Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, in a separate X post, shared his visit to Pamba, the last town before the ascent to Sabarimala. Tharoor reported conversations with unhappy pilgrims who faced discomfort, shortages in arrangements, and confinement without access to essential facilities. He emphasized the dissatisfaction expressed by pilgrims from various states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Notably, the Kerala High Court, in a special sitting on December 25, directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to provide water, snacks, and other facilities at 'Edathavalams' for pilgrims en route to the Sabarimala shrine. This decision followed reports of devotees, including children, being stranded on the roads without food or water for extended periods.
