Kochi: BJP leader K Surendran has sought relaxation in his bail conditions to visit the Sabarimala temple during the Makaravilakku ritual. In his plea before the Kerala Court, Surendran said that he had already prepared the ‘kettu’ (kit with sacred items) for the pilgrimage, making a trip to the shrine mandatory.
However, the court asked Surendran whether it was necessary for him to conduct the pilgrimage during the ongoing season. It suggested that he visit Sabarimala when the temple opens during the first day of any Malayalam month.
“The situation at the shrine is normal now. Will you disturb the peace?” the court asked the BJP leader.
Meanwhile, the attorney representing the state government pointed out that Surendran had made deliberate attempts to violate the calm atmosphere prevailing at Sabarimala. He appealed to the court not to give permission to the BJP leader to offer prayers at the shrine during the Makaravilakku season.
The court will now hear the case on Monday.
Surendran was arrested in a case related to blocking a woman who had arrived at Sabarimala for the first rice-feeding ceremony of her grandchild. He spent 23 days in jail before being released on bail. The conditions imposed for granting bail were strict, including keeping away from Pathanamthitta district where the temple is located.
The BJP leader had earlier been freed on bail in a case registered over his party’s agitation blocking trains in 2013 and another related to a march taken out to the City Police Commissioner’s office in 2016.
