November 15, 2018:
On Thurday, Congress and the BJP have walked out of the all-party meeting on Sabarimala called by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The meeting comes just a day before the shrine opens for the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
Chief Minister after the two opposition parties walked out of the meeting said, "Everyone has to understand that we have to abide by the Supreme Court's order...it applies to everyone."
He said,"The opposition said that the state did not take a measured call. We have made it clear that we have only followed the SC verdict and we have not challenged it. Supreme Court clearly says that the September 28 verdict stands. It means that the entry of women should be allowed. Govt cannot take any stand against this verdict. We respect the feelings of the devotees. We are bound to implement court verdict," he added. Our responsibility is to implement the order. All kind of protection will be given to all kinds of devotees. We want Sabarimala to go to greater heights and glories."
The cheif minister is set to meet representatives of Pandalam Palace and the tanthri family later in the day. An oral plea seeking a stay on the Sabarimala verdict has been rejected by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
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