HC: Permit only gruel at Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday held that no articles of food other than gruel (kanji) and necessary side-dishes should be provided at Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season and monthly poojas.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice K Vinod Chandran also sought the view of the state government and asked it to file statements.

“It is high time to reduce the process of commercialisation and excessive consumerism even in the matter of providing and consuming food,” the court held.

The court held that there need not be sale of other provisions for any other type of food in connection with the Sabarimala pilgrimage. The exclusion of commercial exploitation and consumerism in food consumption would also result in the reduction of the accumulation of waste at the Sannidhanam, Pampa and Erumely.