Outcry as police insist on strict virtual queue timings at Sabarimala

Even as the pilgrim flow to Sabarimala continues unabated, devotee groups have voiced strong objections to a police advisory urging those who have booked darshan through the virtual queue system to arrive strictly on the date and time allotted in their passes.

According to D. Vijayakumar, general secretary of the Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham, one of the largest organisations of Ayyappa devotees, any attempt to regulate the movement of interstate pilgrims through the virtual queue system will only create more problems. “What happens if trains from other States are delayed, or if traffic blockades along the Sabarimala route cause hours-long hold-ups? Insisting that devotees should adhere strictly to the allotted date and time amounts to a violation of their rights,” Mr. Vijayakumar said.

In the advisory, issued earlier this week, Sannidhanam Special Police Officer R. Sreekumar stated that pilgrims should arrive on the date for which they had booked their virtual queue tokens. Turning up on a different day with the same token created crowd-management issues at the Sannidhanam, he noted.

Meanwhile, the number of devotees who had darshan at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple crossed 15 lakh in 18 days. According to official figures, 14,95,774 pilgrims reached the temple by 7 p.m. on December 3 and with the post-7 p.m. footfall added, the total exceeds 15 lakh.

Steps to check thefts

With close to one lakh pilgrims arriving each day, the police have also intensified measures to curb thefts at the hill temple. Since the beginning of the season, over 40 cases have been registered, including theft, assault, and disputes with taxi drivers.

Given the rising number of pilgrims, particularly at Pampa and the Sannidhanam where pickpocketing has been frequently reported, a special police team has been deployed at key points to identify and apprehend offenders. Most thefts are being reported from the Neelimala region, where the special team will carry out intensified checks.

Surveillance has also been strengthened in areas such as Appachimedu, and inspections will be tightened further, said Pampa Station House Officer C.K. Manoj.