Kochi: A petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court on Monday (November 22, 2021) asking for the opinion of the chief priest on the use of 'Halal' jaggery to make 'Aravana' and 'Appam' prasad at Lord Ayyappa's temple in Sabarimala. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) petitioner S J R Kumar has filed a petition in the High Court seeking chief priest opinion. Kumar has opposed the purchase of halal-certified jaggery to make pudding 'Aravana' made from jaggery and rice and laddoo 'appam' made from sweet rice and jaggery. The devotees are offered 'Aravana' and 'Appam' at the Ayyappa temple.

A bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajit Kumar sought a response from the food safety department on the petition. The court said it will consider the matter on Wednesday (November 24, 2021). The Commissioner of Food Safety will file his reply in the matter. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, had told the court on November 18 that 'Halal' was written on the packaging of the jaggery he had received. This jaggery is exported to Arab countries.

TDB also told the court that jaggery obtained earlier this year is being used to make 'Appam' and 'Aravana'. He said the old jaggery was auctioned after checking it in September this year. Investigations found that these jaggeries are not suitable for human consumption. The jaggery was then auctioned and handed over to Southern Agro Tech India Pvt Ltd, Thrissur for making cattle food.

Covid Overview: India records 7579, cases recovery rate at 98.32-pc

Tripura violence case reached Supreme Court

India Vaccine Drive: Over 117 cr vaccine doses administered so far