Just 20 minutes after it commenced, the Kerala Assembly session on Thursday adjourned after disagreement in the house over the Sabarimala issue.
The Opposition had demanded to discuss the adjournment motion over Sabarimala before the Question Hour. However, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan canceled the Question Hour and moved on to other proceedings. This was followed by an argument between the Opposition MLAs and the Speaker as the latter said continued protest in the house was not approved.
The Congress-led Opposition members were shouting slogans during the Question Hour and came out to the well of the Assembly with placards and banners. The ministers then put on the answers for the question for the Question Hour on table.
The Speaker then cancelled the Zero Hour and Submission and informed that the Assembly was adjourned for the day.
The ongoing session of the Assembly began on Monday. This is the third consecutive day that the Assembly has been in bedlam over the Sabarimala issue and the second consecutive day it adjourned before completing the daily proceedings.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the Kerala government was trying to sabotage the Sabarimala pilgrimage. He also demanded that section 144 declared Sabarimala be lifted, and alleged that there are no basic facilities for the pilgrims.
Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran countered Chennithala’s argument saying that the protest of the Opposition United Democratic Front is the testimony to the fact that they are evading the Sabarimala issue.
Meanwhile, though some reports suggested that the BJP would temporarily halt its protest against the entry of young women into Sabarimala, BJP State President P S Sreedharan Pillai told TNM that no such decision has been taken and they would continue the protest.
Travancore Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar said that the attempt of those who create issue in the name of Sabarimala are trying to boost temples run by private people. “The drop in incomes of the temple owing to the protests will affect the pensioners and the employees of the Board,” he said.