Sabarimala protests LIVE UPDATES: The women, who arrived in Pamba today, were not allowed to proceed further. (Express photo)The situation at Pamba, the foothills of the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Kerala, turned tense on Sunday morning after a group of 12 women, below the age of 50, attempted to climb the hilltop shrine despite resistance from Lord Ayappa devotees. While the women, who are members of the Chennai-based ‘Manithi’ outfit, attempted to trek through the traditional forest path, about five kilometres from the temple complex, they could not go ahead as devotees began chanting hymns in protest. The women are now squatting on the road as police officials held talks with the representatives of the outfit.
Of the 12 women, six carried the traditional irumudikettu which is mandatory to climb the ‘pathinettam padi’ (holy steps leading to sanctum sanctorum). The group, led by the outfit’s coordinator Selvi, insisted on police protection to offer prayers at the shrine. As the news spread, a large number of devotees thronged Pamba, about five kilometres away from Sannidhanam (Sabarimala temple complex).
Several devotees detained at Pampa
More women expected at Sabarimala
Thilakavathi, a member in the group, said they would continue the protest till they could offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa. "Priests of the local temple at Pamba did not cooperate with us and declined to get our 'irumudikettu' (sacred offering to the God) ready as per custom. So we did it on our own," she said, adding that more members of their outfit would reach the state soon to visit Sabarimala.
Women group arrive at Pamba amid protests
The women group reached Pamba by 3.30 am through the Idukki-Kambamedu route in Kerala-Tamil Nadu border today. Local television channels said they had to face protests at various places on their way but they managed to reach Pamba.
Opinion | M for menstruation
"Menstrual politics is at the heart of the Sabarimala entry controversy. By a majority 4-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition of girls and women between the age of 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala temple was unconstitutional," writes Vinay Lal. Read full piece here.
Opinion | Sabarimala: The past and present
"Traditionally, there were no restrictions on the entry of women at Sabarimala. The ban on the entry of women between the ages 10 and 50 came through a High Court judgment as recently as 1991. There is no ritual sanctity or scientific justification for this restriction. While upper-caste households did observe menstrual pollution, for the tribal people, menstruation was auspicious and symbolic of fertility. Tribal families with women and children of all ages flocked to the temple until the Sixties. And there is archival evidence of upper-caste young women entering the temple till the Eighties," writes Rajan Gurukkal. Read full piece here.
Four transgenders fail to enter Sabarimala Temple
Four transgenders, who were earlier stopped from proceeding towards the Lord Ayyappa temple citing security reasons, offered prayers at the hill shrine under heavy police security earlier this week. The Kerala High Court earlier this month appointed a three-member committee, vesting them with powers to oversee law and order and other problems faced by pilgrims during the ongoing annual season.
Protests against Kerala govt's call to implement SC order
Kerala had witnessed massive protests by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple since the Kerala government decided to implement the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court permitting women of all age groups there. Over a dozen women have so far made unsuccessful attempts to trek the holy hills.
Hindu fringe groups ready to stop women's entry to Sabarimala
Hindu fringe groups in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu, including Hindu Aikya Vedi, have declared that they will prevent the entry of women in the shrine and that the group will be stopped at Kottayam itself.
Section 144 extended till December 27
The district magistrate of Pathanamthitta has extended the implementation of Section 144 till December 27. The order prohibits unlawful gathering and protest between Elavungal and Sannidanam.
Police ensures protection to women group
Superintendent of Police Rahul R Nair, who is currently posted in Sabarimala to monitor the law and order situation, said the police force is aware of the visit. “We are bound to implement the apex court’s order. We will give them protection.” A senior police officer at Pathanamthitta district near Sabarimala said that the government has directed the police force to ensure there is no violence.
Women devotees wait at Pampa base camp
Nine devotees expected to visit Sabarimala shrine
Stating that the group was assured police protection, Selvi said, “We contacted the office of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with a request for protection. An officer of the rank of deputy-secretary contacted us later and assured protection. We also had talks with the office of Kerala DGP. The Kerala police have promised to help us." Selvi also confirmed that the three activists in the group will not climb the 18 steps to the sanctum sanatorium as it could hurt the sentiments of believers. “But the other nine devotees, who have followed rituals ahead of the trip, will visit the shrine,” she said, adding “Our plan is to go to Nilakkal and Pamba first, and from there we hope to take help of the police to reach the shrine.”
15 women from Kottayam join group to enter Sabarimala
The group of 12 women from Chennai had left for the hill shrine on Saturday evening. Led by 42-year-old lawyer Selvi, who is part of Chennai-based women rights organisation ‘Manithi’, the group, which includes three activists, met another group of 15 women from Kerala today before beginning their journey to the temple. Talking to The Indian Express before leaving Chennai, Selvi had said that 15 women will join their group from Kottayam.
'Will visit temple and return soon'
Lord Ayyappa devotees protest outside Kottayam Railway Station
Tension at Pamba as women attempt to enter Sabarimala shrine
Protests erupted at Pamba, the foothills of the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Kerala, on Sunday morning after a group of 12 women, below the age of 50, attempted to climb the hilltop shrine. The women, who could not go ahead as devotees began chanting hymns in protest, are now squatting on the road while police officials are holding with representatives of the outfit. Follow our live blog for all latest updates.