Sabarimala protests: BJP leader Surendran gets bail
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 7 : The Kerala High Court Friday granted conditional bail to BJP general secretary K Surendran in a case related to alleged attack on a 52-year old woman pilgrim by frenzied Lord Ayyappa devotees at the Sabarimala Temple on November 6.
Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan directed Surendran to surrender his passport, not to enter the Pathanamthitta District, in which the Lord Ayyappa temple is located, till the charge sheet in the case is filed and furnish a bail bond of Rs two lakh.
During the hearing, the state government had strongly opposed the relief, saying Surendran, if released on bail, would attempt to incite violence at the hill shrine.
This is the second case related to the Sabarimala protests in which the BJP leader had been granted bail.
He was initially arrested on November 17 from Nilackal, base camp, while on way to the Sabarimala Temple after he attempted to defy prohibitory orders and refused to go back despite a request from the police.
Surendran was granted bail in the case on November 21 by a court in Pathanamthitta, but remained in prison till date as he was also booked in the case related to the alleged attack on the woman pilgrim.
The woman pilgrim, who had come to the Sannidhanam for the 'choorunu' (rice feeding ceremony) of her grandchild, was blocked and allegedly attacked by angry devotees on November 6, during a special puja, suspecting her to be in the "barred" age group of 10-50.
Sabarimala had witnessed violent protests by a section of devotees against the state government's decision to implement the September 28 order of the Supreme Court, allowing entry of women of all age groups into the shrine.
The BJP has criticised the state government over the arrest of Surendran.
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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
