Thiruvananthapuram: The Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services, Balram Kumar Upadhyay, on Wednesday revoked an order banning religious programmes in prisons the very same day it was issued.

The order was revoked following the widespread protests against the move.

According to the order, religious groups from outside will no longer be permitted to hold prayers or conduct counselling sessions for inmates. The order had stated that only motivational classes will be approved.

Earlier, several religious organisations used to visit prisons across Kerala to offer prayers or counselling for the inmates. The Home Department used to approve the same.

If an organisation gets the permit, they can visit inmates for up to one year to offer prayers and counselling.

The Prisons chief had stated that there was no need for religious programmes in jails and motivational classes could be arranged for those inmates who require counselling.