BJP Keralam general secretary Anoop Antony Joseph attacked the Tiruvitamcoor Devaswom Board’s decision to increase the fee for the virtual queue at Sabarimala temple. The BJP leader said that his party would not allow the Devaswom Board to squeeze the devotees. The Devaswom Board has turned into an agency to exploit the devotees. The BJP will resist this action legally and organisationally.
Anoop Antony said that the move to increase the virtual queue rate in the name of raising funds for providing toilet facilities is the first move to loot Ayyappa devotees.
The Devaswom Board has ended up as an institution engaged in research to find out how to loot the devotees.
The BJP leader reminded people that, during the initial years, virtual queue booking was free. Then, a fee of Rs 5 was announced. Now, the plan is to increase it to Rs 10. They may increase it to Rs 100 or Rs 1,000 in the future. The Devaswom Board appears to be moving in such a direction.
The Devaswom Board’s steps to increase the virtual queue rate are not acceptable. They are intended to impose a financial burden on the devotees.
Anoop Antony pointed out that several devotees bring their families when they come for Sabarimala darshan. If virtual queue rates are increased, how much will the devotees have to spend, Anoop Antony wondered. The argument that the rate is going to be increased to provide toilet facilities is a challenge to the devotees. The paid toilets remain unusable, thanks to a lack of water and hygiene.
During all pilgrimage seasons, the pathetic condition of the toilets creates pitiable circumstances for the devotees. If this is the situation, how can one trust the Devaswom Board’s promise to increase the virtual queue fees to provide free toilets?
The BJP general secretary cited the gold loot on one side and the attempt to loot the devotees on the other. It is to be suspected whether the Devaswom Board’s major agenda is to loot the temple and squeeze the devotees.
Th Board is not capable of organising facilities, it should admit this publicly. The BJP and the Union Government are ready to do so. The Devaswom Board should admit its incapabilities. The BJP would not allow the Devaswom Board’s moves to exploit the faith, bhakti and financial conditions of the devotees. The BJP will go to any extent to protect the rights of the devotees.
