Protests in Sabarimala not acceptable: Kerala HC

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday turned down a bail plea by a man arrested last month, saying protests against the entry of women to the Sabarimala temple were unacceptable.

"The protests at Sabarimala are not acceptable as it is against the verdict of the Supreme Court," a High Court bench said, rejecting the request for bail by Kochi resident Govind Madhusudhan.

"If the bail application is considered, it will send wrong signals and similar incidents will recur again," the court said.

Madhusudhan was arrested at the temple town during protests against the entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50, effectively opening up the shrine to all women.

The police have arrested over 3,500 people and registered close to 540 cases. Around 100 people are still in judicial custody.

The protesters last month prevented 12 women from entering the temple. Similar protests were seen when the temple opened for a day on November 5 when three women were forced to return without offering prayers.

The High Court on Thursday also rejected a plea by MK Gopinath requesting the court to direct the state government to file a review petition. The court made it clear that it did not have authority to ask the state government and Devaswom Board to file a review petition.

In another hearing regarding violation of tradition by Devaswom Board member Sankaradas, following a petition filed by former Devaswom Board member Prayar Gopalakrishnan, the court rejected the petition seeking his expulsion.

The allegation by the petitioner was that Sankaradas ascended the hill steps without 'irukudikettu'. The court did not accept the contention and said that only if there was a deliberate violation could his membership be cancelled. The court wondered if policemen entering there could also be considered violation of tradition.

(With input from IANS)