Sabarimala temple updates: Security stepped up in Pamba, Nilakkal as two outfits call for 24-hr shutdown from midnight

Kerala minister blames RSS-BJP for attacks on devotees

Kerala minister EP Jayarajan blamed RSS for the attacks on devotees. “RSS criminals hid in forests and attacked the Ayappa devotees. Ten media personnel, five devotees and 15 policemen were attacked,” he said.

He added: “RSS-BJP is behind all of this. Supreme Court rule applies to all, the govt is just following and implementing it.”

10 KSRTC buses were damaged. Devotees from other states were beaten up & sent back. RSS-BJP is behind all of this. Supreme Court rule applies to all, the govt is just following & implementing it: EP Jayarajan, Kerala minister on incidents of violence today. #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/XTMAYJVQIm

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

AIDWA condemns ’efforts of BJP-RSS backed right wing groups’ to create communal frenzy

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) said in a statement that it condemned the efforts of" BJP-RSS backed right wing groups to create a communal frenzy" against the implementation of the orders of the Supreme Court in the Sabarimala case. “AIDWA stands strongly against the political parties like the BJP and the Congress and reactionary forces like the RSS that are trying to subvert the progressive Sabarimala judgment. It supports the government’s resolve to implement the judgement and get into a dialogue with women to remove their misconceptions,” it said.

Congress leader says party workers not engaged in hooliganism

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala denied that his party was involved in violence over the Sabarimala issue. “Congress is not attacking anybody, and definitely the attack on journalists is not tolerable. Those protesting there are BJP and RSS people. Nowhere are Congress people engaged in this kind of hooliganism or vandalism,” he said.

Congress is not attacking anybody and definitely attack on journalists is not tolerable. Those who are protesting there, are BJP and RSS people. Nowhere Congress people are engaged in this kind of hooliganism or vandalism: Ramesh Chennithala, Congress #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/EkCZUAdso5

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Two outfits call for shutdown

Right wing outfit, ‘Antharashtriya Hindu Parishad’ led by Pravin Togadia and the ‘Sabarimala Samrakshana Samithi’, an outfit of devotees, have called a 24-hour-long hartal starting midnight.

The outfits are protesting the CPM-led LDF government’s decision to implement the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups to enter the hill shrine.

Special security arrangements and patrolling have been put in place in various locations including Pamba, Nilackal, Erumeli, Vandiperiyar en route to the Sabarimala temple, located in the central district of Pathanamthitta.

PTI

Reporter slapped by protesters for shooting video

In a tweet, ANI said that one of their reporters Karam Ingerlose was slapped by protesters. “His phone was snatched and broken into pieces by them when he was shooting a video in Erumely. The protesters asked him to apologise for shooting the video and let him go only after he apologised,” it said.

NCW directs DGP, Kerala Police chief to provide security to women devotees

In a statement, the National Commission for Women said that it has directed the DGP and Kerala Police chief to provide sufficient security to all women devotees of Sabarimala temple and women media personnel. “Considering the gravity of the matter, the commission has also directed him take appropriate stringent action against people who are responsible for the attacks and a detailed action taken report may be intimated to NCW at the earliest,” it said.

.@NCWIndia has taken cognizance of the reported attacks on women devotees and women journalists en route #SabarimalaTemple. The taken serious note of the various incidents reported in the media. @MinistryWCD @Manekagandhibjp @sharmarekha

1/n

— NCW (@NCWIndia) October 17, 2018

Considering the gravity of the matter, the Commission has also directed him take appropriate stringent action against people who are responsible for the attacks and a detailed action taken report may be intimated to @NCWIndia at the earliest.

3/n

— NCW (@NCWIndia) October 17, 2018

Watch: Earlier visuals from Pampa before the opening of gates

Section 144 imposed in four areas

Section 144 has been imposed in 4 areas: Nilakkal, Pampa, Elavunkal and Sannidhanam. The radius of the prohibitory orders is 30 kilometres from the temple.

Watch: Police vandalise vehicles in Nilakkal

In the video, several police personnel can be seen taking helmets of devotees from their bikes, and canning ‘innocent’ bystanders.

Historic march stalled as women blocked from crossing Pamba

CNN-News18 reported that no women have been allowed to cross the Pamba base camp. The gates will be opened till 10.30 on Wednesday and will reopen at 5am for the next five days.

#BREAKING -- #SabarimalaTemple gates open but women blocked from entering | @Neethureghu with more details #DadagiriOrDevotion #SabarimalaForAll pic.twitter.com/f0ohXaMlzh

— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 17, 2018

Watch: Sabarimala shrine opens for devotees

Sabarimala temple gates opens to devotees

Watch: Situation tense outside temple as gates set to open

Stop attacks on journalists doing their job, says NWMI 

In a statement, Network of Women in Media, India, denounced the attack on women journalists ahead of Sabarimala temple opening.

“We demand that the chief minister and government of Kerala take immediate action against the agitators who let violent assailants loose on journalists, obstructing them from doing their duty. It is incumbent on the government to create a secure environment for journalists to report from Pamba and nearby areas on an issue that is of interest and concern to the public. The government must immediately ensure the safety of journalists and assure the media that the lives of reporters are not in danger,” it said.

Sabarimala temple under siege

Devotees are sitting on protest, laying siege to the 18 holy steps and the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala shrine.

Police stopping mediapersons from approaching Nilakkal camp

I am about 200 metres away from the Nilakkal base camp. We are unable to move further as the police are saying that it is not safe to go there. On our way, we saw some protesters clashing with the policeman. I could see several vehicles with smashed window panes.

We have already heard about some of the devotees, one from Andhra Pradesh, heading back because of intimidation. We can see no women devotees seen approaching the temple.

NCW holds meeting over attack on scribes 

A meeting is underway at the National Commission for Women office for further steps to be taken over reports of attack on journalists ahead of the opening of Sabarimala temple.

Watch: Police lathi-charge, clash with protesters at Nilakkal 

#WATCH: Police lathi-charge and pelt stones at the protesters gathered at Nilakkal base camp, in Kerala. #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/DMC1ePz0l2

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

At least 2 female journalists injured

Two female reporters, working for Republic TV and Aaj Tak, were injured when the protesters turned their ire on the media contingent in Nilakkal

Police tried to calm the protesters but they pelted stones on them, prompting the lathi-charge. This further enraged the protesters, who smashed the window panes of a police vehicle which was carrying away the injured female journalists.

The protesters chased out another female journalist, working for a news portal, from a bus headed to the temple town.

IANS

Congress, BJP join protest by devotees in Pamba and Nilakkal

As agitating devotees took to the streets in large numbers over the Sabarimala issue, the Opposition BJP and Congress on Wednesday joined their stir at Pamba and Nilakkal, the entry points to the hill shrine.

The police evicted members of a tantri (head priest) family, including elderly women, and the Pandalam royals who were protesting in Pamba, reciting Ayyappa ‘mantras’.

After their eviction, a group of BJP leaders began the ’namajapa’ (prayer) meet at the same venue. BJP state general secretaries, K Surendran, MT Ramesh and Shobha Surendran, were among those who led the prayer meet.

Click here to read more

Police resorts to lathi charge in Nilakkal

As situation turned volatile in Nilakkal, a clash broke out between policemen and protesters after the protesters resort to stone pelting. The Kerala Police have resorted to lathi charge.

Kerala minister accuses protesters of playing ‘dirty politics’

Speaking on the situation on the route toward Sabarimala temple, Kerala minister KK Shailaja said, “I think it is intentional; it’s dirty politics they (protesters) are playing. We can’t say if they are actual devotees. Supreme Court’s order is Constitutional and government is bound to implement it.”

I can predict what is going on there, I think it is intentional,it's dirty politics they (protesters) are playing. We can't say if they are actual devotees. Supreme Court's order is Constitutional & govt is bound to implement it: K K Shailaja, Kerala Minister #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/f8V73u57Lm

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

NCW takes suo motu cognizance of attack on one reporter

National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Sharma tweeted that they had taken cognisance of the attack on car of CNN-News18 journalist.

Some women journalists had faced the ire of a section of protesters agitating against the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women of all age into the Sabarimala temple and their vehicles attacked in Nilakkal.

@CNNnews18 just saw the horrible seen at #Sabrimala where these so called devotees are attacking the young journalist. Totally not acceptable. Why police is not giving security to women to go inside the temple even after Supreme Court verdict. Taking cognizance.

— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) October 17, 2018

Women fighting against women’s rights surprise BJP MP Uday Raj

BJP MP Udit Raj says that he is surprised to see that women themselves are stopping others from going to the shrine. “I have seen the fight for equality, not for slavery and inequality. On one hand, fight against atrocities by men is going on in the nation and on the other hand, women are fighting against their own freedom & rights. It has happened for the first time in the world, it’s amusing – ‘Make me a slave, treat me unequally, we’re inferior to men’ – women are stopping women. What’s the point in this. I don’t know what’s happening in this nation,” he said, adding that it was his personal opinion.

This notwithstanding the fact that BJP is the main political party spearheading the Sabarimala protests in the state of Kerala. The party’s ideological wing RSS is also participating in the protests against entry of women to the Sabarimala shrine.

Watch: Sabarimala protesters attack journalist Pooja Prasanna’s car in Pathanamthitta 

#Kerala:Protesters block and attack a woman journalist's car in Pathanamthitta #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/7TfRf2YIMi

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Showdown near Sabarimala, two women turned back

Traditionalists opposed to the entry of women in the 10-50 age group to the Sabarimala temple despite a Supreme Court ruling took on the Kerala government on Wednesday, forcibly turning back stray women visiting the shrine despite police assurances that no one will be prevented from taking part in the pilgrimage.

The police meanwhile arrested members of the Pandalam Royal and Sabarimala temple Tantri families, including women, taking part in a protest.

Rahul Easwar, activist and member of tantri’s family detained by Kerala Police

Activist Rahul Easwar, spearheading the protest against women’s entry to Sabarimala, was detained by Kerala Police on Wednesday. Easwar is the grandson of the former high priest of the Sabarimala Shrine.

Govt trying to make Sabarimala a war zone: BJP leader MT Ramesh
 

Talking to reporters at Sannidhanam, temple tantri Kandaru Rajeevaru said the centuries-old rituals and traditions of the Lord Ayyappa shrine should be protected. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, MT Ramesh said the government and police were trying to make Sabarimala a “war zone”. “It is important to protect the sanctity of the Lord Ayyappa Temple. The government is not taking into consideration the sentiments of Ayyappa devotees who are coming in large (numbers) to Nilakkal and Pamba,” he told reporters in Pamba.

PTI

Libi CS, who tried to enter shrine as devotee, faces backlash after conceding she does not believe in Ayyappa

A young woman named Libi CS faced angry opposition at the Pathanamthitta new bus stand on Thursday morning, when she arrived there from Cherthala in order to travel to Sabarimala temple in Pamba. 

She came dressed in the traditional dress robes as a devotee, to try and enter the shrine following the Supreme Court order. However, she faced backlash from protesters owing to a social media post, where she revealed that she was an atheist and wanted to enter the shrine as a mark of protest. 

Liby, who got down at the Pathanamthitta bus stand and was to board a bus to Nilackal, faced angry devotees who booed her.

Kerala minister accuses RSS and BJP of double-standard

Kerala minister VS Sunil accused the RSS and BJP of talking double standards on the Sabarimala issue. “On one hand, five advocates associated with the BJP gave petition in Supreme Court over entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala temple, and on the other hand, the BJP is leading a fight against the verdict. Now it is trying to relate the issue to law and order situation,” he said, reported news agency ANI

Trouble brews in Nilakkal as protesters shift base away from Pampa

The centrepoint of Sabarimala protests, Pampa district is relatively calm now as only a handful of protesters are seen near the sannidhanam. Even the BJP leaders leading the charge of protests are conspicuous with their absence. Members of the high priest’s family are also nowhere to be seen there. 

Meanwhile, a large number of protesters have instead started gathering in Nilakkal. The protesters have attacked several media vehicles and reporters, while several others are roaming the streets with chants of Lord Ayyappa slogans. 

‘Won’t let impure women enter our shrine’, say tribal devotees of Lord Ayyappa

The tribals and Dalits believe that if the women in this particular age-group climbed the hill violating the custom would bring a bad omen for them. 

“Lord Ayyappa is our God. Restrictions imposed on women of a certain age group from entering the shrine is part of our custom. Following the custom is very important for worshipping at the Lord Ayyappa temple situated in the dense forests. It should not be violated. Impure women should not be allowed in the  Sabarimala temple,” said Narayanan, participating in the Sabarimala Achara Samrakshana Samiti’s agitation.

58-year old tribal woman Omana reiterates narayanan’s sentiments, “We will not let any impure woman enter into poonkavanam — sacred forests of Lord Ayyappa.”

CPI leader D Raja blames attack on journalist on BJP-RSS, says right-wing goons creating law and order problem 

D Raja blamed the BJP and RSS for the attack on journalists, while claiming that the Kerala government was discharging its duties properly. Raja, who is part of the CPI, an ally in the state government said, that the police personnel were outnumbered by the mob and it is the BJP and RSS people who are leading the protests.

‘Gandhian protests’ turn violent as protesters beat up women journalist, vandalise media vehicles

Sabarimala traditionalists vowing to undertake a Gandhian protest against Supreme Court’s order allowing women entry into the shrine, turned violent on Wednesday and attacked three women journalists.

Anti-women Sabarimala protesters attacked two reporters from The News Minute and Republic TV in Pamba and Nilakkal. TNM reporter Saritha was on a KSRTC bus that was full of Sabarimala devotees when a mob of 20 men surrounded the bus and tried to get her out. Another journalist, Republic TV’s south India bureau chief Pooja Prasanna, was attacked by protesters demonstrating against the entry of women into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple.

In PHOTOS: Devotees take holy dip in Pampa river

Devotees take holy bath in River Pampa before starting pilgrimage to Sabarimala Temple Security is heightened in #Kerala as Ayyappa shrine opens for the first time since the SC verdict that allows women of all ages inside the premises.

Images by TK Devasia

Devotees take holy bath in River Pampa before starting pilgrimage to #SabarimalaTemple Security is heightened in #Kerala as Ayyappa shrine opens for the first time since the SC verdict that allows women of all ages inside the premises
LIVE UPDATES https://t.co/P3on7EyutO pic.twitter.com/Li3vX3pkOD

— Firstpost (@firstpost) October 17, 2018

RECAP: Highlights of anti-women protests at Sabarimala 

Here’s a quick recap of all the developments in and around Pamba and Nilakkal: 

• Police removed makeshift tents, detained protesters
• Women protesters checked vehicles before allowing them travel to Nilakkal
• Congress, BJP held separate sit-ins, fasts at Pampa, Nilakkal
• No one would be allowed to block pilgrims, said Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran
• Protesters disallow women of menstruating age from climbing the hill – one from Andhra, one from Alapuzha
• Congress, BJP and CPM accuse each other for the state of affairs in Sabarimala
• Travancore Devaswom Board’s bid to bring consensus among tantri, Pandalam Palace and government fails again.

‘Protesters have no right to attack anyone, devotee or reporter’

Amid allegations that the reporters who were attacked had no plans to enter the temple, Dhanya clarified saying that they were many kilometres away from Pamba and wore coloured clothes so that people would know that they are not devotees. “That apart, protesters have no right to attack anyone, devotee or reporter,” Dhanya added .

Senior journalist reacts to attack against women and reporters at Sabarimala 

Somewhat ironic that on #DurgaAshtami women are getting beaten up for the equal right to pray in #Sabarimala - and that what the status quoists seek to defend is that our menstrual cycle is dirty. Absolutely shameful.

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) October 17, 2018

30 arrested so far in Pamba: Police 

A total of  30 people have been arrested in Pamba since Tuesday. According to ANI , nine people were arrested on Tuesday and and 21 on Wednesday, in connection with protests against entry of women in age group 10-50 to Sabarimala Temple. Two of them have got bail.

TNM editor slams Kerala police and protesters for attack on reporters

Editor of The News Minute Dhanya Rajendran, in a series of tweets, slammed agitators for assaulting reporters who “were doing their job”. “Then police gave her protection. While she was being taken to the station, a man kicked on her spine. Then many clicked her pics and videos. They said they will circulate it and make sure she never comes there again,” Dhanya tweeted. 

“Saritha and Pooja Prasanna were in Nilakkal, not even near the temple. Is the road leading to Sabarimala the private property of protesters? A woman threatened to throw stones and bottles at Saritha.” Questioning the Kerala police’s inaction, Dhanya said, “Why did the Kerala police not anticipate this protest? Why is the Congress also protesting at Nilakkal?”

I spoke to @Sarithasbalan and @PoojaPrasanna4..both attacked. I want @RahulEaswar and all the others to answer. Is this your protest? Saritha was abused with the worst kind of abuses. Is this how a devotee behaves?

— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) October 17, 2018

I spoke to @Sarithasbalan. She was wearing a jeans and kurta. There was no way these mobs thought she was a devotee. She was in a bus with other journalists. 20 men surrounded the bus, made her get down.

— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) October 17, 2018

Saritha and @PoojaPrasanna4 were in Nilakkal, not even near the temple. Is the road leading to Sabarimala the private property of protesters? A woman threatened to throw stones and bottles at Saritha.

— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) October 17, 2018

Despite police assuring security, Andhra woman, scared of anti-women protests, decides not to enter Sabarimala 

Forty-five-year-old woman, who was told to go back, told Firstpost that the anti-women protests at Sabarimala were overwhelming. She decided not to climb up to the shrine after the protest even after the police assured security. She is now at Pampa base camp.

Republic TV’s Pooja Prasanna attacked by angry mob at Pamba

Another journalist, Republic TV’s south India bureau chief Pooja Prasanna, was attacked by protesters demonstrating against the entry of women into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. The incident took place in the town of Nilakkal located in Pathanamthitta district while the TV crew was on its way to the Pamba base camp. This incident took place despite police protection present at the spot.

Visuals put out by the news channel show around 50 to 60 people surrounding the car the reporter and the channel crew was travelling in, chanting Ayyappa slogans, the report said.

Anti-women Sabarimala protesters attack The News Minute’s reporter Saritha 

Anti-women Sabarimala protesters attacked The News Minute’s reporter Saritha S Balan in Pamba. Saritha was on a KSRTC bus that was full of Sabarimala devotees when a mob of 20 men surrounded the bus and tried to get her out. Saritha was on the bus to cover the Sabarimala protests, when it was ‘inspected’ by Karma Samithi. Saritha was intimidated by the mob and violently physically attacked and verbally abused. 

As the police tried to give a protective ring to Saritha to get her out of the bus, the mob physically attacked her, and one of them in fact kicked her on her spine.

BJP will protest till it gets justice, say Kerala party leaders

The Bharatiya Janata Party said that the party will continue the protest till “we get justice.”

“We are also looking at the possibility of making this a pan India protest by hoping to bring believers and sanyasis from across India to sabarimala. If the state government uses police force to tackle peaceful protestors the repercussions will be huge,” said BJP state unit president PS Sreedharan Pillai.

Kerala govt showed haste in implementing SC verdict in Hindu temple, says BJP Shobha Surendran 

Shobha Surendran said that the government had shown haste in implementint g the SC verdict because it was a Hindu temple. She said that a Supreme Court  verdict on a church has not been implemented so far. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan thinks he can do anything with Hindus. We will not allow him this in Sabarimala case. BJP  will stand firmly behind the believers to protect their faith

Hindus forced out on streets because of new decisions invading faith, says protester

A woman sitting on protest against the Supreme Court verdict, told CNN-news18 that the courts do not understand the matters of faith. She said that because of these new decisions Hindus’ freedom to pray is being eroded and they are  being forced out on the streets to protect their faith.

Protesters touch Andhra woman’s feet for deciding not to enter temple

About to become the first woman under 50 years of age to enter Sabarimala, Madhavi was not allowed to enter the temple. According to TV reports, once the woman decided against entering the temple, protesters allegedly came with folded hands and touched her feet for her decision. 

Nilakkal: A woman Madhavi on her way to #SabarimalaTemple returned mid-way along with her relatives after facing protests. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/OUCbOqa1aO

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Vijayan govt hurting religious sentiments of people: BJP 

BJP leaders K Surendran, Shoba Surendran and MT Ramesh have taken over protest at Pampa, along with party workers. Surendran accused the state government of hurting religious sentiments of people.

Ramesh pledged his support to agitation and said that would take it over from Thursday. The BJP’s presence will be there in Nilakkal and Pampa till the temple remains open, said Ramesh.

Another girl from Cherthala told to go back

An girl from Cherthala in Alappuzha district was stopped at Pathanamthitta bus stand as she tried to board a bus to Pampa. The girl was later taken by the police to the station. Police have taken at least 50 people in custody in connection with the incident.

The girl claimed that she had come Pathanamthitta to go to Sabarimala.

45-year-old woman told to return with family

45-year-old Madhavi, a resident of Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh, who reached Pampa to go to Sabarimala was stopped by protestors near the base camp. The woman, who accompanied her family of six, reached swami Ayyappan road, 5 kms away from Pampa. The family was forced to return following protests.

Police detain several protesters

At least, 50 protesters were detained by kerala police at the Pampa base camp. Reports also said that senior BJP and Congress leaders have converged at Pampa and Nilakkal to protest against the Supreme Court order which allowed women to enter the Sabarimala temple.

Pamba: Police detain people protesting against the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 to Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple https://t.co/whEFyIHX9Z

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Wife of Kandararu Maheshwararu Tantri, ex-Devaswom Board chief taken into custody at Pampa base

According to latest reports, wife of Kandararu Maheshwararu Tantri, Devaki Antarjanam and former Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan were taken into police custody from Pampa base camp. Gopalakrishnan was leading a sit-in protest at Pampa.

The duo were allegedly protesting against the Supreme Court verdict allowing women, of all ages, to enter the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

‘No one will be allowed to block pilgrims from worshipping Ayyappa’

In a Facebook post, Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said that no one will be allowed to block pilgrims from worshipping the ‘Ayyappa’. " None would be allowed to disrupt peace," he says.

Surendran said he has reached Sabarimala to facilitate women’s entry.

Congress stands with Ayyappa devotees: K Sudhakaran

Congress State working president, K Sudhakaran, has reached Nilackal. Sudhakaran blamed both the Union and state governments, the BJP as well as the Left parties, for the messy state of affairs at Sabarimala. He said Congress stands firm with the Ayyappa devotees but urges no one should be prevented from worshipping.

The Devaswom Board has even taken control of our Gods, allege tribal groups

Tribals living in the hills  around Sabarimala alleged that the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board were trying to demolish centuries-old customs by allowing entry of women in the 10-50 age group into the famous Sabarimala temple.

They claimed that restrictions imposed on women in the menstruating age group were part of a custom prevailing in tribal societies living in the forests in Kerala. “The Devaswom Board has even taken control of tribal Gods and devasthanams in various hills around Sabarimala,” said 70-year-old V K Narayanan, chief of the forest-dwellers in the Attathodu area.

He alleged the authorities were trying to demolish centuries-old tribal custom associated with the temple. “Look at our skin. We are tribals. Our custom is being demolished by those institutions which are duty-bound to protect them,” he said.

WATCH: Women protest in Nilakkal against the entry of women

#WATCH: Women protest in Nilakkal against the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 to #Sabarimala temple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/GuxDZo0R7G

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Surprised to see women fighting against their own freedom and rights: BJP MP Udit Raj
 

BJP MP Udit Raj says that he is surprised to see that women themselves are stopping others from going to the shrine. “I have seen the fight for equality, not for slavery and inequality. On one hand, fight against atrocities by men is going on in the nation and on the other hand, women are fighting against their own freedom & rights. It has happened for the first time in the world, it’s amusing – ‘Make me a slave, treat me unequally, we’re inferior to men’ – women are stopping women. What’s the point in this. I don’t know what’s happening in this nation,” he said, adding that it was his personal opinion.

Udit Raj was recently in news for supporting actor Nana Patekar, who has been accused for sexually assaulting co-actor Tanushree Dutta 10 years ago on the sets of Horn Ok Pleasss. The BJP MP questioned Tanushree’s intent behind raking up the issue ten years since it happened. “Itne saalon baad aise maamle ki satyata ki jaanch kaise ho sakega? (After so many years, how will the truth of such a matter be investigated?),” Udit on Tuesday said.

Sabarimala face-off fight between Renaissance and Obscurantism, says Subramanian Swamy

“Supreme Court has made a decision, but now you are saying that it’s our tradition. Triple Talaq is also a tradition in that way, everybody was applauding when it was abolished. The same Hindus have come on the streets now,” Subramanian Swamy told ANI . 

He also added, “It’s a fight between Hindu Renaissance  and Obscurantism. Renaissance says all Hindus are equal and caste system should be abolished. because no Brahman today is only intellectual, they’re in cinema,business as well. Where is it written that caste is from birth? Shastras can be amended.”

Meanwhile… Sabarimala shrine to get new chief priest tomorrow

In a related but separate development, the selection of new melsanthi (chief priest) for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temple also will be at held after usha pooja at 8 am tomorrow. The selection based on draw of lots will be conducted from the list of nine aspirants who were shortlisted at the interview held by a jury pan,  The New Indian Express  reported.

Congress, BJP hold hunger strikes; protests underway at Pamba, Nilakkal

As tension prevailed in the districts falling in vicinity of the Sabarimala shrine, both BJP and Congress are trying to gain political points in the face of the ongoing protests. 

While the BJP has openly come out in support of orthodox devotees protesting against the entry of women, the Congress said its hunger strike will be simply in solidarity with the protesters, rather than to oppose women’s entry. BJP chief Sreedharan Pillai is sitting on a hunger strike in Pathanamthitta, KPCC is holding a hunger strike in Nilakkal.

Kerala Congress holds hunger strike in solidarity with devotees, say party not against women’s entry 

Inaugurating the day long fast, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee working president K Sudhakaran said they are not protesting against anybody going to Sabarimala. “Ours is a Gandhian protest to express solidarity with the devotees who are hurt by the SC verdict,” Sudhakaran said.

Lord Ayyappa shrine to open today at 5 pm 

The Sanctum sanctorum of Lord Ayyappa shrine will be opened today at 5 pm today for the next five days for monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Thulam. 

The ritualistic Neyyabhishekom will be held only on 17, 18, and 19 October  owing to the Ashtabandha Kalasom to be held at the Ayyappa temple and the Malikappuram Devi temple on 20 October. Udayasthamanapuja, Pushpabhishekom, and Padipooja will be held on all the five days and the temple will be closed on 21 October.

Workers removed from Nilakkal by police resume protests, block roads 

Meanwhile, Sabarimala Achara Samranshana Samithi workers, who were removed from the base camp, have returned to Nilakkal and resumed their protests. The local police have not taken any action against them so far. The protesters are sitting at the site where their shed existed earlier. The police had demolished the temporary structure and removed the protesters forcefully, few hours ago. 

In Pictures: BJP workers protest police action against agitating Lord Ayyappa devotees

BJP leader Shobha Surendran protests police action against Lord Ayyappa devotees 

BJP workers, led by party leader Shobha Surendran protested the police action against devotees who stopped women from entering Pamba by chanting Ayyappo Swami Saranam at Nilakkal. 

Surendran warned that they will not allow the police to touch the devotees. “If the government is trying to suppress the protests using police, the BJP will stand with the devotees,” she said referring to the police action on the protestors at Nilakkal.

Meanwhile… devotees leave Nilakkal to proceed for onward journey to Lord Ayyappa shrine 

Protesters stop women govt officials from entering Nilakkal

The protesters agitating against women devotees’ entry into the Sabarimala shrine have reportedly stopped women government officials, who came for the situation assessment scheduled to be held at around 11 am. 

Input by DA Verghese, 101Reporters

BJP rally in Pathanamthitta at 10.30 am to protest women’s entry to shrine

According to CNN-News18, the Bharatiya Janata Party has said that it will hold a protest meet at Pathanamthitta district, one of the entry points to reach Sabarimala, at around 10.30 am. Meanwhile, the Kerala Police has said that no attempts to threaten law and order, or to stop women devotees from entering the shrine will not be tolerated.

Lord Ayyappa devotees visit Kerala from neighbouring Tamil Nadu

Devotees from various parts of the country congregate in Sabarimala when the shrine opens every month. This time also, a bunch of devotees from Tamil Nadu arrived in Nilakkal. They said that they were not in favour of allowing women at Sabarimala. They urged the government to take steps to protect the temple customs.

Police say ready to face situation in Sabarimala, Nilakkal, Pamba

Central zone inspector general of police Manoj Abraham said that the police are geared to face any situation in Sabarimala. “No person will be allowed to prevent devotees from going to Sabarimala. The police will do everything possible to implement the law of the land. None will be allowed to take law into their. Women of all age are free to go to the temple and worship. Police will provide them protection,” he said. 

He said that stern action will be taken against those who allegedly manhandled a woman devotee at Nilakkal yesterday. “We have registered a case and are investigating the incident,” Abraham said.

Protesters pelt stone on police team as they demolish protesters’ shed 

Nilackal SH0 VS Vijayan said that some protesters had pelted stones on the police force when they demolished a shed, under which they had been sitting on a satyagraha for the last one week. They have been detained.

Kerala Police arrests 16 protestors from Nilakkal 

The Kerala Police has arrested 16 people in all so far since yesterday’s protest. Six persons who resisted the police attempt to evacuate the protestors have been arrested by police today, whereas 10 people were arrested last night in connection with the attack on a woman from Tamil Nadu. The women and her husband, who were going to Sabarimala were assaulted and prevented from proceeding further from Nilakkal

Cops forcefully remove mob protesting entry of women from Nilakkal base camp

The Kerala Police said that there was strong resistance to the police action when the protestors were evacuated. The Superintendent of Police said that no protestors will be allowed to gather at Nilakal and Pampa, the base camps of the Sabarimala shrine, as they are heavy security zones. Nobody will be allowed to block roads

Former Travancore Devaswom Board chief amid anti-woman entry protesters, says will sacrifice life to uphold tradition 

Former Travancore Devaswom Board president, Prayar Gopalakrishnan said that the government was trying to suppress protests using police. He said he will go to Sabarimala ready to sacrifice his life for protecting the temple’s custom and practices. He is also the coordinator of the Congress committee set up to steer the party programmes against the Supreme Court verdict.

We will tell about the Sabrimala rituals 

Karthiyayani, 54 hailing from Attathode settlement near Nilakkal in Perinad Panchayat said that she joined the protest along with her family members soon after the judgment came. She says the judgment was like a rude shock.

“I am born in the panchayat where Sabarimala  is located but I never had a desire to go to Sabarimala after l turned 10. I believe if young women enter Sabarimala there would be repercussions not only in Pathanamthitta but entire world,” she says.

‘SC ruling will turn Sabarimala into a centre of prostitution,’ a Lord Ayyappa devotee’s bizzare claim

Suneesh, 35 year old protestor from Kodali of Thrissur says that Sabarimala will become a centre of prostitutes if the Supreme Court verdict will be implemented. He said that he will stop women if they try to enter the temple. “I came without any support of any organistation and will definitely manhandle if any woman tries to go through. I don’t care of  court verdict anyway,” he says.

‘Conspiracy to inject European culture ‘

Sujith,a devotee who came here all the way from Bengaluru to protest against  the Supreme Court judgment, says that the judges delivered the verdict without knowing the sentiments of the devotees.

“I clearly doubt that there is a clear conspiracy behind the judgment to inject Europian  culture thorough court of law. There is no question  constitution morality  when it comes to beliefs. I am staunch devotee of Ayyappa. It is my duty to ensure that the rituals should  remain intact”, he says.

No woman would be stopped from entering shrine

The Sabarimala Achara Samranshana Samithi activists who were sitting on satgraha for last one week have been removed from Nilakkal. The activists had yesterday stopped vehicles and forced women to get down. Superintendent of Police, T Narayanan said nobody will be allowed to prevent women from going to Sabarimala.

Travancore Devaswom Board’s attempts to bring all stakeholders onboard fails 

Amid the tense atmosphere that gripped the south Kerala shrine all through yesterday, the Travancore Devaswom Board went into a huddle with stakeholders, including the Pandalam royal family representatives and priests, to soothe frayed tempers amid escalating protests by the Hindu right and common Ayyappa devotees. There was, however, no breakthrough.

The meeting also attended by Ayyappa Seva Samajam and Yoga Kshema Sabha ended in a deadlock as the TDB stuck to its stand of not filing a review petition. PTI

Heavy security arrangements at Nilakkal as shrine opens to all women

The Kerala Police has made heavy security arrangements at the base camp of the shrine at Nilakkal, where scores of devotees had gathered yesterday to stop the entry of women to the shrine. The police has deployed two companies of women personnel to tackle the women protesters and offer protection to women devotees who may try to enter the shrine today. 

The state authorities have deployed wround 500 policemen, including 100 women policeat Nilakkal.

Image Courtesy: TK Devasia

Vigilante groups form checkposts, scan vehicles as police looks the other way

Various media reports from the ground suggested dramatic scenes played out at the hill shrine. 

Hundreds of women devotees of Lord Ayyappa, the eternally celibate deity of Sabarimala, picketed the road to the hill shrine and prevented women they suspected were of menstrual age from proceeding to the shrine some 20 kilometres away. Chanting “Swamiya Saranam Ayyappa” hailing the Lord, the devotees checked buses and private vehicles for girls and women of the “banned” age group and forced them to abandon their journey. 

Television channels showed some college students, including young girls wearing black dresses, being ordered to get down a bus. All through this, a small police contingent present their looked the other way. PTI

Kerala CM, Police assure women devotees of security, say won’t allow anyone to take law and order in their hands

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, facing a tough time tackling the highly emotive religious issue which has also acquired political overtones, issued a stern warning to those who dared block devotees from entering the temple. The Kerala Police chief also reiterated the chief minister’s sentiment and said that the police force will stay alert and will not allow anyone to take law and order into their own hands.

Tension in Kerala as Sabarimala opens gate for devotees

With the gates set to be opened for the first time since the Supreme Court last month lifted the centuries-old ban on women in the 10-50 age group and allowed women of all age groups to enter the shrine, 20 km from Nilackal and about 225 km from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala waited with bated breath amid ominous warnings of “mass suicides” and threats of disruption.