Kerala: LDF changes stance again on women’s entry into Sabarimala
NEW DELHI: LDF government decided that it would be best to stand with believers in the Sabarimala issue, considering the approaching elections. There are indications that the government will take a stand in the Supreme Court, adhering to the customs in Sabarimala, taking into account the feelings of lakhs of believers.
It is in this context that Law Minister P. Rajeev clarified in a press conference that the government will stand to protect the faith, no matter which religion. The government’s earlier stance cited no need for review in the Supreme Court verdict that allowed the entry of young women. Advocate Jayadeep Gupta described that it was the hitherto held stance of the government.The assembly elections are likely to be held by mid-April. A nine-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi ordered on Monday that the review petitions be heard by a larger bench of nine judges from April 7. With the order to file written arguments by March 14, the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board will not be able to prolong the matter.With the judges giving strict instructions to the government to appear before the court on the day of the hearing, there is no room left to escape. NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair has asked the government to stand with the believers. SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan is also of the same opinion.In a sign of the BJP’s stance, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the verdict should be reviewed. The Chief Justice will soon issue an order by reconstituting the nine-member bench.# The hearing will begin on April 7 at 10.30 am. It will conclude on the 22nd.# The review petitioners, including NSS, will be heard from April 7 to 9# Those opposing the review can present their arguments from the 14th to the 16th# Both sides have an opportunity to present their counter-arguments on the 21st# Amicus Curiae will be heard on the 22ndSenior Malayali lawyer K. Parameshwar is the amicus curiae. Advocate Shivam Singh has been assigned to assist him. Adv. Krishan Kumar Singh has been appointed as the nodal counsel. He should make arrangements to complete the hearing promptly in consultation with the lawyers.
