‘Discarding clothes in Pampa is not a ritual, devotees need to be convinced’; says HC

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court said the devotees need to be convinced that discarding clothes in Pampa is not a ritual. The high court issued strict directions following the situation of Pamba being polluted due to the clothes discarded by the devotees. A bench led by Justices A Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar gave directions to the devaswom board.

‘Clothes in loads are collected from Pampa every day. Pilgrims from other states discard their clothes in Pampa. They consider this as part of a ritual. However, awareness should be created widely that there is no such ritual. Awareness visuals should be displayed on the banks of Pampa. In addition, audio messages should be circulated through KSRTC buses that Pampa should not be polluted and clothes should not be discarded in the river,' clarified the court.

Reports had earlier emerged that discarded clothes are being accumulated in the river. This is polluting the water. Although the devaswom board has auctioned the right to collect clothes left in the river for a large sum, it is learnt that they are not collecting the clothes that are lying on the bottom of the river. Only the clothes that float on the surface of the water are collected. The stored clothes are piled up on the steps of the bathing area, causing mud and clothes to accumulate, making the steps dirty.