Kerala Government not Taking Away Sabarimala Money: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Wednesday denied that it was taking away money donated to the Sabarimala temple. Devasom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said there was a widespread campaign in Kerala and in other states against donating cash to the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala and other temples run by Devasom Boards. “I use this opportunity to state clearly that the government of Kerala is not taking a single penny from the revenue of the temples,” he said at a meeting of officials from southern states. “On the other hand, the Kerala government is granting huge funds for the administration of temples every year,” said the Minister.

Surendran also explained that the Kerala government had a constitutional obligation to implement the Supreme Court order allowing all women to pray at the Sabarimala temple. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had convened a meeting of Devasom Ministers from the southern states to discuss the issues arising from the Supreme Court order. But only officials came to attend the meeting from other states. (IANS)

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