The Nava Kerala Sadas has been a matter of contention due to significant expenditure, commencing with the expensive vehicle used for the cabinet’s extravagant tour across all 140 assembly constituencies. Media reports now detail the partial demolition of compound walls, mostly at educational institutions, to facilitate the Nava Kerala Sadas Yatra. However, promises to rebuild these structures have yet to be fulfilled, raising concerns about taxpayer money.
Specifics cited by the media reveal various incidents across districts
- In Palakkad, partial demolition at Nenmara Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School took place, estimated at Rs 25,000 for reconstruction.
- Ernakulam witnessed three such incidents, including one in the assembly constituency of VD Satheeshan, the Leader of the Opposition.
- Malappuram and Thrissur districts each faced instances of partial demolition in multiple educational institutions, requiring significant funds for reconstruction.
- Alappuzha, Kottayam, and other districts also experienced partial demolitions, including at schools and community grounds.
The financial strain of rebuilding these structures adds to the State’s existing fiscal crisis, raising concerns about child safety without secure school boundaries.
Additionally, the Kerala High Court criticised the Government for demolishing compound walls, highlighting the use of public funds for reconstruction, a matter of contention given the State’s financial challenges.
LDF Government and its Sadas suffer heavy blow from the Judiciary
The LDF Government faced a significant setback as the Kerala High Court, on December 15, halted the Travancore’s Devaswom authorisation for using the Chakkuvalli Parabrahma Mandirpremises in Kollam for the Nava Kerala Sadas scheduled on December 18. This order followed petitions filed by the Hindu Aikya Vedi and devotees, asserting that Mandir grounds are intended solely for religious purposes, not for any other activities.
The Court’s decision came after discussions regarding a pandal constructed near the Mandir, situated just 3.6 meters away and in close proximity to a revered banyan tree on the premises. The Court requested details about the pandal design and its distance from the Mandir, emphasising earlier judgments in similar cases. The petitioners highlighted concerns about the impact of the Sadas on the Mandir’s traditional “pathrandu vilakku” ritual (12 lamps).
Moreover, the Nava Kerala Sadas has disrupted the public transport system, as Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) reportedly deployed 31 buses from Chengannur, Pathanamthitta, and Tiruvilla, impacting regular passengers who heavily rely on these routes. Additionally, reports from Karakkonam, Thiruvananthapuram, revealed the filling of paddy fields for the event, contradicting the Government’s commitment to preserving such fields.
The continuous controversies surrounding the Nava Kerala Sadas have raised significant concerns and sparked ongoing debates.
