NSS to attend Global Ayyappa Sangamam, decides to send representative

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Nair Service Society (NSS) will attend the Global Ayyappa Sangamam this month organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board. After announcing support for the Sangamam the other day, the NSS had decided to send a representative to the event.

NSS welcomed the government for accepting their stand not to invite political parties. NSS had earlier clarified that they would support the Global Ayyappa Sangamam with conditions. SNDP also expressed support for the Sangamam soon after this.

Ayyappa Sangaman will help in the growth of Sabarimala and other temples and SNDP Yogam will support the Sangamam, General Secretary Vellappally Natesan told media.
It would be good if the relevance of Sabarimala can be spread globally and devotees can be attracted. If more devotees come to Sabarimala, the lives of ordinary people associated with the temple will be get better. The government has said that things will be done by maintaining the traditions. It is being taken at face value. The government and the Devaswom Board do not have an agenda for women's entry at the moment. We also believe that women should not be allowed to enter.

He had rejected the BJP's accusation that non-believers chief minister and ministers are holding the Global Ayyappa Sangamam for political gains. He also demanded that the government and the Devaswom Board create an environment where devotees can come and go without any difficulty in Sabarimala.

However, the plea filed in the high court seeking to stop the Global Ayyappa Sangamam will be considered today. The plea was filed by M Nanda Kumar and V C Aji Kumar. The plea states that by holding the Sangamam, the government has deviated from its secular duties. The devaswom board acted in violation of its jurisdiction. The plea also demanded that a Global Christian Sangamam be held along with the Global Ayyappa Sangamam.