Kerala Police allows four transgender persons to go on Sabarimala pilgrimage; permission was denied earlier

Thiruvananthapuram: Four transgenders, turned away by police from proceeding to Sabarimala temple, were given permission on Monday to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, a top police official said. The nod was given after the transgenders approached DGP A Hemachandran, a member of the Kerala High Court-appointed supervisory panel, and Inspector General of Police Manoj Abraham here, a day after being disallowed to proceed. Hemachandran said they met him and gave a representation. “I heard them and after meeting me they also met other police officers. What I understand is that transgenders have gone to Sabarimala earlier. There is no objection (to them), only security concerns. They may go to Sabarimala at an appropriate time”, he told PTI. [caption id=“attachment_5741861” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Ananya, one of the four, said that they were subjected to ridicule, threats and was asked to return by the police. News18[/caption] “Nobody had raised objections. Police on duty there were apprehensive as the transgenders may be mistaken for young women,” he added. Ananya, one of the transgenders in the group, told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that they would proceed to Sabarimala soon. “We are happy and feeling very proud. We have got permission by police to trek Sabarimala and offer prayers,” she said. However, the transgender said they will not wear male attire during the pilgrimage and would go to the hill shrine wearing sarees. Police had stopped and sent back Ananya, Trupti, Renjumol and Avanthika at Erumeli, around 60 km from the shrine, Sunday stating that they had to get some legal clarity. Clad in black sarees, the traditional pilgrim attire, all the four had carried the customary irumudikettu (sacred offerings to the God) also. They, however, said the previous ban on women in menstrual age was not applicable to them. The state had witnessed massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple since the Kerala government decided to implement the 28 September Supreme Court order, permitting women of all age groups into the shrine. Over a dozen women have so far made unsuccessful attempts to trek the holy hills. The high court had earlier in December appointed the three-member committee, vesting them with powers to oversee law and order situation and other problems faced by pilgrims during the ongoing annual season.