The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has issued notices to four officials, that is, an administrative officer, an executive officer and two guards for allegedly granting preferential treatment to Malayalam actor Dileep, at Sabarimala.
The incident, which reportedly caused inconvenience to devotees waiting in long queues, has recently drawn criticism.
The TDB has stated that further action will be taken if the officials’ responses are unsatisfactory.
In a statement released on Sunday, the board emphasised its commitment to ensuring a smooth and accessible darshan for all devotees.
Also read: Sabarimala: Kerala HC slams VIP privileges amid festive rush
“Everyday, several pilgrims undertake arduous journeys just to seek Lord Ayyappa’s blessings. Our priority is to provide everyone with adequate facilities and a peaceful darshan experience,” the board said.
It also announced stricter measures to prevent such occurrences and warned that officials failing to uphold their responsibilities would face strict consequences.
The row erupted from Dileep’s visit to Sabarimala on December 5, prompting the Kerala High Court to intervene.
Earlier, the court criticised the TDB, stating that the actor’s VIP treatment led to pilgrims’ inconvenience during the ongoing Mandala-Makaravilakku season.
The TDB has been directed by the Kerala High Court to ensure that incidents of VIP darshan causing obstruction to pilgrims does not take place in Sabarimala during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season.
The directive was passed on the basis of the Special Commissioner’s report.
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