Dolly Workers Cannot Protest During Sabarimala Festival Season, Would Adversely Affect Rights Of Pilgrims: Kerala High Court

Dolly workers carry a dolly which is a reclining bamboo cane chair used for carrying pilgrims who are unable to walk the trekking path from Pamba to Sannidhanam.

The Division Bench of Justice Anil K.Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S. ordered that dolly workers cannot use protest as a pressure tactic to make the authorities meet their demands during the festival season, and any such demands must have been raised before the beginning of the festival season.

“No such protest or strike by the Dolly workers could be permitted at Pamba, Sannidhanam or in the trekking path from Pamba to Sannidhanam, during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival seasons or Maasapoojas. The Dolly workers could not be allowed to use such kinds of pressure tactics during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival seasons or Maasapoojas, since any protest or strike from their side will adversely affect crowd management at Sabarimala, which is a Special Security Zone, and also the safety of the pilgrims, which includes children of tender age, senior citizen, persons with disabilities, etc. Any such protest or strike from the side of Dolly workers will also adversely affect the right of the worshippers of Lord Ayyappa, who reach Sabarimala, to exercise their right to worship in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in Sabarimala.”

The Court further observed that a large number of persons including daily wage workers are employed at Sabarimala to ensure the safety of pilgrims, and in such situations, dolly workers cannot be permitted to protest, as it would disrupt effective crowd management.

“When such personnel/employees work as a team to ensure that the pilgrims have a safe, secure and hassle-free pilgrimage during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season of 1200ME (2024-25), the Dolly workers at Sabarimala cannot be permitted to stage any protest at Sabarimala, which is a place of worship.”

The Court thus directed the Travancore Devaswom authorities and police officials to take steps to ensure that there is no strike or protest from the side of dolly workers.

Case Number: SSCR NO. 87 OF 2024

Case Title: Suo Moto v State of Kerala

Click here to Read/Download the Order