Won't Let Sabarimala Become A Place For Activists Showdown Says Govt As Protesters Force Two Women To Return

On the third day since the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala opened for monthly prayers, the Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages entering the shrine is yet to become a reality.

On the third day, two women, a journalist from Telangana and a woman activist from Kerala had expressed their intention to trek to the hill shrine from Nilakkal.

ANI

The police who were initially hesitant to let them travel, citing the protests, however, agreed to provide them security and take them to the temple through the forest path.

Accompanied by a police force of nearly 200, led by IG Sreejith the women began ascending the mountain path at around 6:45 in the morning, amid isolated protests from male devotees who were climbing down after their darshan.

ANI

The police managed the way up to Nadapanthal, the entry point to the temple, where they were confronted by a large group of Ayyappa devotees who protested the women entry.

They held a sit-in at Nadapanthal, blocking the road singing Ayyappa chants. With the situation getting tense, IG Sreejith tried talking to the protesting devotees in an attempt to pacify them.

Taking to the protesters, IG Sreejith said "We are Ayyappa devotees too. We are not stopping you or don't want to use force on you. But we also have the responsibility to uphold the right to these women, given by Supreme Court".

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However, they refused to budge and insisted that the women should climb down.

Amid this, the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam and the chief priest also sided with the devotees. Sabarimala chief priest Kandararu Rajeevaru said if the women entered the temple, he had no option but to shut its doors and leave.

We have decided to lock the temple and handover the keys & leave. I stand with the devotees. I do not have any other option: Kandararu Rajeevaru, #SabarimalaTemple head priest #Kerala (file pic) pic.twitter.com/6LilPOx9qr

¡ª ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

While the journalist, Kavita said she was there for reporting, the second woman, an activist, Rehna Fathima said she wanted to pray to Lord Ayyappa.

After multiple attempts by the police to reach any solution the Kerala government intervened.

Speaking to media, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said the government was committed to providing security to Hindu devotees wanting to visit the shrine but did not want to make Sabarimala a palace for activists to make their protests.

"We have got to know that activists have tried to climb up to Sabarimala today. I request activists not to turn holy Sabarimala into a platform to prove themselves. It's hard for govt to differentiate between genuine devotees and activist. We will provide security to women devotees visiting the temple".

After the government made its position clear, the police convinced the two women to abandon their trek and return to Nilakkal.

We had brought them ((journalist Kavitha Jakkal&woman activist Rehana Fatima) till temple premises but tantri&priest refused to open temple for them. While we were waiting, tantri informed me that if we attempt to take the women ahead they would close the temple: Kerala IG (1/2) pic.twitter.com/fbjImadHZ8

¡ª ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

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On her way back, Kavita told media that she was happy to reach till Nadapanthal and will definitely return to Sabarimala later.

Meanwhile, unidentified miscreants vandalised the Kochi house of Rehna after her identity was revealed by local media.

Since Wednesday a handful of young women have tried to reach Sabarimala but they were forced back due to protests. There are also reports that activist Trupti Desai would visit Sabarimala in the coming days.

AFP

Entry of women aged 10-50 in Kerala's most famous temple has been a long standing tussle. While women's rights campaigners see it as an issue of gender equality, those opposed to it say they are upholding the tradition.

According to belief, the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa is a celibate and thus women in menstrual age have been barred there. Those aged below nine and above 51 had always been allowed entry in Sabarimala.