The leftist government’s disregard for the Hindu community and Hindu pilgrimage centres such as Sabarimala continues. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) filed a petition in the Supreme Court (SC) seeking permission to provide vehicle facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims from Nilakkal to Pampa free of cost. Astonishingly, the Kerala government wants the SC to reject VHP’s plea.
The communist state government has brazenly claimed that Kerala Road State Road Transport (KSRTC) has the authority to charge extra for Nilakkal-Pamba service during the Mandala-Makaravilaku season. Only KSRTC is authorized to operate bus services on Nilakkal to Pampa route. KSRTC buses ply the road from 97 depots.
In the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Kerala has stated that it cannot accept VHP’s proposal to provide free service. The state government asked the SC to dismiss the petition.
The state argued that VHP’s allegation of insufficient buses is wrong. Special charges are levied as per government order. Currently, the state can accept the petitioners’ demand to hire and operate 20 buses. The government also stated in the affidavit that allowing the service this way violates the permit rules.
The Kerala government claimed that KSRTC had provided all the facilities for the pilgrims. One must remember this is the same green communist regime that is hell-bent on destroying Sabarimala and Sanatana Dharma.
The state claimed that the KSRTC provides elaborate facilities for the pilgrims even during Mandala-Makaravilak periods and other special occasions when the Sabarimala temple opens for monthly Pujas. The KSTRC brings necessary buses, staff and supporting staff from 97 depots in the state.
The bus does not usually carry pilgrims who are standing. It is necessary to allow passengers to stand when there is a lot of traffic. The argument that there are not enough buses is wrong. KSRTC does not overcharge. Incidentally, the same counter affidavit also states that only ‘special charges’ are levied per government order.
According to the order issued by the state government, the state government has clarified that the KSRTC has the authority to charge 25 per cent on ghat roads and 30 per cent during festival seasons. Based on this order, the KSRTC collects additional amounts from the pilgrims during the Mandala-Makaravilak season.
The petition of Vishwa Hindu Parishad said that the number of buses on the route is less, and devotees crowd each bus. However, the government has replied that these allegations are false.
The situation on the ground is quite different. Any Hindu pilgrim who has visited the Sabarimala temple using public transport in recent years would endorse it.
KSRTC fleeces Hindu pilgrims by charging exorbitant tickets. They use old, rickety buses on this route during the November to January Sabarimala season. The roads are pathetic, and many KSRTC buses have broken down mid-way.
It leads to severe traffic snarls on the winding highrange roads and leaves many Ayyappa Swamy devotees stranded for hours. Such manufactured traffic blocks are also a cheap trick to incite locals, most of whom are Abrahamic converts.
The VHP approached the court, citing the plight of the devotees as there were inadequate buses to Sabarimala, where lakhs of Ayyappa devotees visit. Hindu devotees, including children and old ladies bearing the sun and rain, must stand in long, winding queues for 28-30 hours.
KSRTC is not running enough buses, and the existing buses are not in good condition. In this situation, VHP demanded that 20 buses be used to ferry devotees free of cost. They approached the Kerala High Court earlier, but the demand was not accepted.
VHP filed their petition in the Supreme Court in January this year. Senior advocate V. Chitambaresh represented the VHP. The Supreme Court heard the petition yesterday, but KSRTC asked for time to reply. The case was adjourned to next month.
Incidentally, these are the same green communists who arrange air-conditioned buses free of cost to transport haj pilgrims to our airports.
