Sabarimala: Two women agree to return as protesters block entry

SABARIMALA: Two young women, one a journalist and the other an activist, were forced to return from Sabarimala after the tantri threatened to stop prayers if they entered the temple.

Two women are currently housed in an administrative office just under a kilometre from the famed Aiyappa shrine in Sabarimala in Kerala. The temple was opened on Wednesday for the first time following the Supreme court order in September allowing women of all ages into the temple.

Rehana Fatima, a Kerala-based activist, is one of the women who have travelled this far. The other is reportedly a journalist from Hyderabad, Telangana.


In a statement, the Devasvom board administrating the Sabarimala temple has said the premises “cannot be a place for activism.”
Inspector General of Police S Sreejith told ET: “I asked them (protesters) to disperse. They didn’t. So I’m going to speak to the women to tell them to turn around.” Sreejith had held a brief talk with protesters at the entry of the temple but their fervour seemed to increase as the officer tried to reason with them.

While the two women have travelled this far, another journalist attempted to reach the shrine on Thursday. She had to turn around after crossing Neelimalai after Pamba following sudden stone pelting from devotees.

After the judgment from the Supreme Court on September 28, the temple gates were opened for the first time on Wednesday this week. The riotous scenes witnessed on Wednesday forced the police to impose Sec 144 of the IPC in neighbouring areas of the Sabarimala hills.

They are going back under police protection after the head priest threatened to stop prayers if they entered.