Had not apologised on women entry, expressed regret on clashes that broke out, explains Kadakampally Surendran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran retracted his statement on women entry in Sabarimala He told the assembly that he only expressed regret for the unfortunate incidents that broke out in Sabarimala and had not apologized on it. He made the explanation during discussion on the policy address.

Kadakampally’s apology on Sabarimala issue had stoked a controversy during election time. The incidents that happened in Sabarimala in 2018 had pained us and expressed regret. I think it should not have happened. It is a closed chapter now and no more controversies in it, he had asserted then.

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury was against the minister apologising for it. I don’t know why he apologised. The party had taken the right stand on the Sabarimala issue. Yechury said party's policy is equality mentioned in the constitution.