THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With just two days to go for Sabarimala temple to open again for monthly pujas, the Travancore Devaswom Board has invited members of the thantri family, Pandalam palace representatives and Ayyappa Seva Sangham leaders on Tuesday morning for a discussion here. Following the historic Supreme Court verdict allowing women aged between 10 and 50 entry to the hill shrine, there has been growing mass protests by Ayyappa devotees in several parts of the state, and TDP's initiative is being seen as a last-ditch attempt by the government to avoid possible violence and confrontation when pro and anti-verdict groups assemble at Sabarimala."All issues have to be resolved. The board does not want Sabarimala to be a political issue. Hence, without any pre-conditions we will be having discussions with the thantri family and others concerned", TDB president A Padmakumar said. "The discussion has been convened to ensure a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage season this year. We will be seeking their opinion on all issues concerned,'' he said.Incidentally, the thantri family and erstwhile Pandalam royal family members had refused to attend an earlier meeting with the chief minister called for the same purpose. Striking a distinctly conciliatory tone this time, the TDB president said, "We are not there to change age-old traditions and beliefs. We want to protect the interests and beliefs of the Sabarimala believers''.Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran has made it clear that it will not be possible to block women if they are coming for darshan. However, TDB authorities, possibly considering sentiments of traditional devotees, have ruled out deploying women police personnel and women devaswom staff at sannidhanam.

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