Ayyappa devotees must be called ‘Swami’: Devaswom Board instructs Sabarimala police

Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board has instructed police personnel on Sabarimala duty to address Ayyappa devotees as "Swami" and ensure that they are treated with respect throughout the pilgrimage.

The Board raised the issue at a recent Sabarimala review meeting, amid complaints that some police officers deployed for pilgrimage duty, particularly those without adequate training, behave disrespectfully towards devotees.

Travancore Devaswom Board president K. Jayakumar suggested that police personnel deployed at Pamba, Sannidhanam and Nilackal during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season should be given classes on appropriate behaviour and crowd management. Pathanamthitta SP R. Anand has been assigned to oversee the initiative.

Complaints about police behaviour towards Ayyappa devotees are not new at Sabarimala. There have been instances in the past when police resorted to pushing crowds and using batons when congestion became difficult to control.

Following such incidents, police personnel have been instructed to address devotees arriving for darshan as "Swami" and not to use sticks to control crowds under any circumstances. They have also been directed to avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as disrespectful towards devotees.

At the same time, the police force has earned considerable goodwill for its Sabarimala duty. Devotees often share positive experiences of officers who patiently manage crowds amid the arrival of millions of pilgrims and assist those who lose their way, are elderly or require additional support.