Thiruvananthapuram: Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President A Padmakumar on Friday said the TDB stands by the government which protects Sabarimala, other temples and the Board and denied reports of him quitting.
He further claimed the issue involving the Devaswom Commissioner was misinterpreted by the media.
Earlier reports of him surfaced saying he had sought an explanation from Devaswom Commissioner N Vasu for reversing the TDB’s stand over the 28 September Supreme Court verdict, which allowed women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple. But he denied this and claimed he had merely said that he was waiting for the report.
Speaking at a function organised in Kerala, he said it was not possible for the Board and its employees to ask devotees not to donate funds as it would destroy it. In the budget, the Kerala government had allotted Rs 100 crore for the Sabarimala temple to make up for the losses incurred during the recent floods and protests, he further added.
Padmakumar had earlier opposed the entry of women of restricted age group into the shrine. But however, this statement of his has gained significance.
Earlier this week a row erupted in the State when the TDB supported the Supreme Court’s order and opposed a batch of pleas seeking review of the Supreme Court verdict.
Padmakumar further clarified that the board had actually submitted a plea seeking extension of time to implement the apex court’s verdict.
Devaswom Commissioner Vasu also maintained that the board had not sought any explanation from him.
Reacting to this issue, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran yesterday said, “Since the pilgrim season is over, there is no relevance for such a plea now.