Kerala High Court Demands Urgent Explanation for Unpaid Sabarimala Sanitation Workers
The Kerala High Court has issued a stern directive to the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), compelling them to file a detailed statement by Thursday. This statement must comprehensively explain the reasons behind the non-payment of substantial amounts due to sanitation workers at the sacred Sabarimala temple.
Substantial Unpaid Dues Threaten Temple Operations
The court was actively considering a critical submission presented by the amicus curiae for the Sabarimala special commissioner. This submission revealed alarming financial discrepancies. It was disclosed that significant sums owed to the Sabarimala Sanitation Society remain outstanding. Specifically, an amount of Rs 9 lakh for the period up to October 2025 has not been paid.
Furthermore, a much larger subsequent sum of Rs 58.60 lakh for the following period is also pending. Adding to this financial burden, an additional Rs 53.77 lakh, which became due from April 20, 2025, onwards, has not yet been disbursed to the society. The total outstanding amount exceeds Rs 1.21 crore.
Imminent Threat to Forthcoming Religious Event
The legal submission underscored a grave operational consequence. It was explicitly stated that unless these outstanding amounts are released promptly, the Sabarimala Sanitation Society would be financially incapacitated. This would prevent them from deploying the necessary sanitation workers for the highly significant and upcoming Meena Masa Pooja, a crucial religious observance at the temple.
Court Expresses Deep Anguish Over Worker Plight
In its proceedings, the High Court did not mince words, expressing profound anguish and deep dissatisfaction with the prevailing situation. The bench made a poignant observation regarding the sanitation workers themselves.
The court noted that these individuals perform essential and indispensable services under extremely demanding and often harsh conditions within the temple premises. Despite the critical nature of their work, they receive only modest daily wages for their labor.
The bench emphasized that the failure to disburse even these modest earnings on time raises serious and legitimate concerns. It directly impacts the workers' ability to sustain their already meager livelihoods, pushing them into further financial distress.
Strict Deadline for Compliance Set
Concluding the hearing with a firm stance, the Kerala High Court issued a clear and non-negotiable directive. Both the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board are mandated to file their explanatory statements on the matter by Thursday itself. This urgent timeline underscores the court's determination to resolve the payment crisis and ensure the welfare of the sanitation workers ahead of the important temple festival.
