Restrictions on videography at Sabarimala to be tightened
The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is expected to soon hold a meeting with the Chief Police Coordinator to review and decide on guidelines for videography in sensitive areas such as the Melethirumuttam and the sanctum sanctorum. The decision, to be taken in consultation with the temple Tantri, will be submitted to the High Court for its consideration.
The move follows a report by Sabarimala Special Commissioner Jayakrishnan R., who flagged multiple violations of videography restrictions during the previous pilgrimage season. Acting on the report, a Division Bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. has directed the TDB to take appropriate action.
The report highlighted two major incidents of unauthorised videography in restricted zones. In one case, a temporary staffer at the emergency operating centre was caught filming the Harivarasanam ritual using his mobile phone near the Sopanam, violating temple regulations.
In another instance, several press photographers were seen climbing the railings of the Sopanam to capture visuals of the Thanka Anki procession.
Photographs submitted with the report showed mediapersons installing tripods on the Sopanam railings and around the Thirumuttam and the Devaswom building near the Melethirumuttam for live coverage of the Makaravilakku festival.
The High Court also prohibited the use of helicams at Sabarimala by mediapersons, citing that the temple and its surrounding areas fell under a special security zone as defined by Section 82(1) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011. However, it clarified that this restriction does not apply to surveillance operations.
The court further banned installation of tripods on the Sopanam railings and emphasised that any equipment set up for live telecast of the Makarajyothi darshan must be installed only at designated spots, with prior approval from the TDB and the Chief Police Coordinator, Sabarimala.
'Travancore Devaswom Board officials and the police shall take necessary steps to ensure that videography in the permitted areas at Sabarimala does not cause any inconvenience to pilgrims,' it said.
The court also stipulated that only accredited mediapersons, those recommended by the heads of their organisations and cleared by the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer, may be issued identity cards by the TDB. Their accommodation must comply with earlier court directives.
Last year, the High Court had restricted media access to the Sabarimala temple, mandating that only journalists with valid ID cards issued by the TDB would be permitted to cover events at the temple.
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