THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Travancore Devaswom Board member K P Shankar Das has come out with his explanation in the wake of the controversy that he climbed up 18 steps without Irumudi, in violation of tradition.

“I have not violated any tradition. I took part only in a ceremony related to the temple and that is why priests and thantris didn’t prevent me from accompanying them to Sannidhanam via the 18 steps. There were also others with me…in that case they also should have violated the custom,” he told media persons at Devaswom Board headquarters on Wednesday.

When asked if Devaswom board would take any action against Sabarimala Thantri for allegedly seeking advice from BJP State president P S Sreedharan Pillai, Shankar Das said he just talked to him to know his response.

“There won’t be any action against the thantri. I was just asking for his version based on the reports that came in newspapers,” he said.