Kerala: Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan, SP exchange words over vehicle movement

On pilgrimage, Radhakrishnan, Union MoS for Finance and Shipping, reached Nilakkal, the Sabarimala base station, on Wednesday morning.

On pilgrimage, Radhakrishnan, Union MoS for Finance and Shipping, reached Nilakkal, the Sabarimala base station, on Wednesday morning.

A senior Kerala BJP leader on Wednesday alleged that an IPS officer behaved rudely with Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, allegedly due to his dark complexion, even as the minister got into a brief war of words with the officer after his vehicle was “stopped” on way to Pamba, the last entry point to Lord Ayyappa shrine.

On pilgrimage, Radhakrishnan, Union MoS for Finance and Shipping, reached Nilakkal, the Sabarimala base station, on Wednesday morning. Exclaiming that SP Yatish Chandra was “wearing sunglasses” and spoke in an arrogant manner with the Union minister, BJP state general secretary A N Radhakrishnan alleged, “When Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala reached Nilakkal yesterday, the same officer was seen standing with folded hands before him. We want to know whether Chandra behaved rudely with the Union minister since he is dark-skinned, while the officer and the Congress leader are fair…”

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, Indian Police Service Association’s Kerala chapter condemned the “continued personal attacks and threats” made against IPS officers on duty at Sabarimala by certain individuals and organisations, PTI reported.

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Earlier in the day, SP Yathish Chandra had told the minister that private vehicles are not allowed to head towards Pamba since the parking lot there was washed away by the recent floods.

When Radhakrishnan alleged that police are harassing devotees, and asked why only state-run KSRTC buses are being allowed up to Pamba, the officer said no vehicle is allowed to stop there, as it will lead to a traffic snarl, and that the buses return immediately with returning pilgrims.

When Radhakrishnan said, “I understand that you are not going to allow my vehicle to go there”, Chandra replied: “…VIP vehicles are allowed. You are a sitting minister. Your vehicle is allowed. Sir, please give me an order, (and) I would allow everyone…please give in writing.” At this point, Radhakrishnan said he was there as a pilgrim and cannot give such an order. He and others accompanying him subsequently left for Pamba on a KSRTC bus.

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