Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Friday called on the people of Kerala to restrain from violence and wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition on Sabrimala temple row.
"It's a pity that Kerala, a state known for progress and communal harmony, is burning. I call on everyone to keep calm and restrain from acts of violence. We have to wait for the Supreme Court's decision on the review petition," Sri Sri said in a statement.
Protests erupted across Kerala on Wednesday after two women in the hitherto banned age group entered the Sabarimala temple before dawn, with the Sabarimala Karma Samithi (SMS) calling for a state-wide shutdown on Thursday.
The shutdown saw major violence on Thursday with nearly 100 people, including police personnel, getting injured.
Sri Sri, however, also asserted that no such action should be taken that could result in violence and that "the temple traditions should be respected".
"When the Sabarimala matter is sub judice, no action should have been taken that would have caused heartburn and turmoil in our society.
"While Kerala has not left any stone unturned for its women empowerment, the temple traditions and sentiments of devotees should be respected," he said.
Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President, A Padmakumar on Friday said that the board had sought an explanation from the Sabarimala thantri, Kandaru Rajeevaru, for his decision to close the temple on Wednesday after two women below the age of 50 entered the shrine.
Speaking to the media after a meeting of the TDB, Padmakumar said that the thantri has been given 15 days to provide them with an explanation. Lashing out at Kandaru Rajeevaru, Padmakumar said that the thantri’s decision to close the temple for ‘purification rituals’ was against the Supreme Court verdict and amounts to contempt of court.
With IANS inputs