Tensions ran high in Kerala on Wednesday as the gates to the Sabarimala hill shrine opened for the first time since the Supreme Court lifted the age-old entry ban on women between 10 and 50 years of age. However, protesters stopped women from entering the temple and even attacked vehicles carrying women pilgrims and reporters.
A woman from Andhra Pradesh in her 40s, tried to climb the Sabarimala Hills to reach the temple but was forced to return to Pamba, the base camp, intimidated by agitated men devotees. Liby, a young woman from Kerala's Alappuzha, was also prevented by the protesters from proceeding toward the shrine.
The day witnessed tense moments at Pamba and Nilackal as protesters turned violent and clashed with the police. The angry crowd pelted stones at police vehicles and buses. Several persons including an old woman was injured in the stone-pelting. Some women journalists were heckled and blocked from proceeding toward the temple by the protesters. "It was shocking that officers were there doing nothing. The protesters attacked our vehicle," said Radhika Ramaswamy, a reporter from a leading news channel. The unruly men turned their wrath on some women worshippers as well.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) urged the Kerala police to ensure security of women who wish to enter the Sabarimala temple and demanded strict action against the attackers.
The Commission's response came after protesters indulged in violence near the gateway on the foothills leading to the hill shrine. The Commission also asked DGP Kerala Loknath Behera to submit a detailed action report in the matter to the Commission. Behera said 700 additional police personnel had already been deployed in Pamba and Nilackal, the base camps of Sabarimala pilgrimage, to maintain law and order.
"At least 700 armed police personnel, 100 of them women, are already placed in various locations. A team of commandos will also be deployed soon," he said.
Kerala minister EP Jayarajan blamed the RSS and BJP for the violence. Section 144 (prohibits assembly of more than four people in an area) has been imposed in Pampa, Nilakkal, Sannidhanam, and Elavungal. "RSS criminals hid in forests and attacked the Ayappa devotees. Ten media personnel, five devotees and 15 policemen were attacked," Jayarajan said. He added that 10 KSRTC buses were damaged and devotees from other states were beaten up and sent back. However, BJP's MS Kumar said that the LDF government is fully responsible for any law and order situation in the state. "It's a very unfortunate situation. We aren't responsible for it."
The famed Lord Ayyappa temple opened for the five-day-long monthly poojas in a charged atmosphere. Amid chanting of 'swamiye saranam Ayyappa' mantras, the chief priest, Unnikrishnan Namboothiri and head priest, Kandaru Rajeevaru opened the portals of the santum sanctorum at 5 pm and lighted the ceremonial lamp. As per the custom, the shrine was closed at 10.30 pm.
This is for the first time that the shrine opened after the SC lifted the ban on menstrual age women visiting the shrine. The temple priests will perform regular poojas and other rituals like 'ganapathi pooja' and 'neyyabhishekam' from Thursday till October 22.
(With Agency Inputs)
Oh Lord!
- 10 media persons, five devotees and 15 policemen attacked
- Protesters damage 10 buses and vandalise shops at Nilackal base camp
- KSRTC buses stop midway, pilgrims forced to walk. Stones pelted
- CrPC Section 144 (prohibits assembly of more than 4 people) imposed at Nilackal, Pamba, Sannidhanam and Elavumkal
- Network of Women in Media, India denounces attacks
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