TDB, not Kerala govt, authority to handle Sabarimala: Kerala HC

By Express News Service

KOCHI: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), not the state authorities, is the competent authority to make rules for the upkeep of order and decorum at Sabarimala, and for the due observance of the non secular rites and ceremonies carried out on the temple, the Kerala High Court mentioned on Friday. The courtroom additionally ordered that the Board ought to take over the digital queue platform at present owned and managed by the Kerala Police with the technical help of the Tata Consultancy Services.

“Kerala Police cannot own the domain name — sabarimalaonline.org — or display any advertisement on that web portal and earn revenue. It should be owned and controlled by the TDB,” held the Devaswom Bench comprising Justice Anil Ok Narendran and Justice P G Ajithkumar.

The bench issued the order whereas disposing of a suo motu case and different petitions, alleging information leak, towards the Kerala Police’s digital queue administration for the Sabarimala pilgrimage. In view of the provisions below the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, it’s the obligation of the TDB to see that the common conventional rights and ceremonies within the temple are carried out correctly, and to determine and preserve adequate services for the devotees. The Board has to handle the properties and affairs of the devaswoms and organize for the conduct of every day worship and ceremonies in each temple. 

Only police can handle crowd in Sabarimala: HC

“Unlike different temples in India, crowd administration and upkeep of legislation and order in Sabarimala throughout pilgrim season and month-to-month poojas is a difficult process, which may solely be dealt with by the police. Considering the truth that the temple is located in a tough forest terrain vulnerable to pure disasters, the presence of police is critical even on the 18 holy steps to render help to devotees, particularly kids, senior residents and likewise individuals with disabilities.

Crowd administration at Sabarimala can’t be dealt with with the restricted variety of TDB workers, who’re deputed on particular obligation. For managing such an enormous crowd, it’s crucial that the police have entry to the database within the digital queue platform. When particular safety risk inputs have been acquired in respect of Sabarimala temple, the police must take preventive motion after screening and verifying the database,” held the courtroom.

Verification of digital queue tickets and different associated issues must be the accountability of the Kerala Police as a part of crowd administration. “The access to any personal data in a virtual queue platform by police for crowd management will in no manner infringe the right to privacy of devotees,” held the courtroom.
Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham nationwide vice-president D Vijayakumar mentioned the decision reaffirmed the TDB’s autonomous energy within the temple’s day-to-day administration. He mentioned the board ought to guarantee a pilgrim-friendly ambiance for devotees, significantly those that come from different states.

TDB HAILS VERDICT ON VIRTUAL QUEUE
TDB president Ok Anandagopan welcomed the High Court order at hand over the administration of the digital queue system to the Board. He mentioned the TDB would provoke measures to supply fundamental services for the devotees.