Police handbook on Lord Ayyappa temple courts controversy

Sabarimala (Kerala): A directive in the police handbook distributed among personnel on duty at Lord Ayyappa temple here courted a controversy by saying that pilgrims of all age groups are permitted to enter the temple based on the Supreme Court verdict of 2018.

Soon after the issue came to light, Kerala Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan clarified that the directive will be withdrawn as the handbooks, which were published in previous years, have been distributed this time mistakenly.

Meanwhile, Kerala BJP came out with a strong protest against the police directive alleging that it was aimed at violating customs and rituals of the centuries' old temple.While addressing a press conference here, the Minister said the directive will be withdrawn and the Government has no ill-motive as alleged by the BJP.(UNI)