Thrissur: For the first time in history, the Thrissur Pooram was disrupted due to police intervention, and a petition has been filed in the High Court challenging this incident. Hindu Aikya Vedi State General Secretary P. Sudhakaran, through advocate V. Sajithkumar, filed the petition, which was heard by a division bench comprising Justices V.G. Arun and S. Manu, seeking an explanation from the government
Hindu Aikya Vedi State General Secretary P. Sudhakaran has filed a complaint with the Central Home Ministry, State Home Department, and DGP, demanding an investigation into the incident and suspension of Thrissur Police Commissioner Ankit Ashokan until the investigation is complete. The complaint seeks an investigation into the incident and suspension of the police commissioner until the investigation is complete.
In the petition questioning the actions of Thrissur Police Chief Ankit Ashok, it is requested to give guidelines to prevent illegal interference of the police in temple festivals and functions and to protect the constitutional freedom of religion. The court verbally pointed out that the government has initiated action against the concerned police officers and sought a response from the government.
The police brutally attacked a person carrying a traditional lamp, blocked the elephant’s entry into the temple, and even banned the chief priest from entering the temple. The police then entered the temple and charged at the devotees, preventing them from participating in the temple rituals and festivities. This incident has tarnished the grandeur of Kerala’s largest temple festival, striking fear into the hearts of lakhs of devotees
The illegal restrictions without even asking the temple authorities or Thantri are against the freedom of religion provided by Article 25 of the Constitution and are a violation of fundamental rights. It has been stated in the complaint that Ankit Ashoka behaved like a dictator.
