Devotees wait to climb 18 steps to have 'darshan' of Lord Ayyappa after opening of the Sabarimala temple.
Credit: PTI Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: A photoshoot by police officials on duty on the 18-holy steps of Sabarimala Ayyappa temple has invited strictures from the Kerala High Court.
A batch of police officials posed for a photoshoot on the 18-holy steps as their first phase of duty ended the other day. The photo went viral on social media, inviting criticism from various Hindu outfits.
Taking note of the matter, Kerala High Court's devaswom bench said on Tuesday that such acts by police officials could not be accepted. The HC also sought a report from the temple officials on pilgrims taking photos using mobile phones at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
Additional DGP S Sreejith, who is in charge of Sabarimala security, has sought a report from the officials concerned on the incident.
Hindu Aikya Vedi state president R V Babu said in a social media post that the photo shoot at the holy steps would hurt the sentiments of believers.