SC allows Kerala govt to conduct Global Ayyappa Sangamam

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court allowed permission for the state government to conduct the Global Ayyappa Sangamam on September 20. The apex court also directed that the issues be heard in detail by the High Court. The court said it will not interfere in the public interest litigation seeking to stop the global Ayyappa gathering being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board near Pamba.

MS Vishnu Shankar, the lawyer of the petitioner Dr PS Mahendra Kumar, brought the matter before a bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran.

The petitioners alleged that the program was politically motivated under the guise of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The gathering is being held in an environmentally sensitive area. The government has not taken into account the restrictions imposed by the Green Tribunal and others. The petition also stated that such a program should be held in an auditorium, not on the banks of the holy Pamba.

Thiruvananthapuram native Dr. P. S. Mahendra Kumar approached the Supreme Court after the Kerala High Court found no issues in the government conducting the global Ayyappa Sangamam.

Meanwhile, the number of delegates in the global Ayyappa Sangamam will be reduced to 3500. The first 3000 people who register will be selected for this.