Thousands of women participated in the state-sponsored “Women’s Wall” campaign in Kerala on Tuesday, 1 January.

Sabarimala Row: Women Line Up to Form Human Wall for Equality

Jan 01 2019, 11:02 AMJan 01 2019, 11:43 AMJanuary 01 2019, 11:02 AMJanuary 01 2019, 11:43 AM

Thousands of women from various walks of life are participating in the 620 km-long state-sponsored “Women’s Wall” campaign stretching from the northern tip of Kasaragod to the southern end in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, 1 January, to uphold gender equality and renaissance values.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is inaugurating the Wall programme in the state capital. Before its inauguration, K Balakrishnan, state secretary, CPI(M) said:

“Women’s wall isn’t a referendum on Sabarimala verdict. Government fund is not being used for it. Those who support gender equality can join the women chain.”

K Balakrishnan, state secretary, CPI(M), as quoted by ANI

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Com. Brinda Karat joins the #VanithaMathil formed at Thiruvananthapuram to protest the attacks by the right-wing conservative forces on women's rights in the state. pic.twitter.com/Pqqc24rcSd
— CPI(M) Kerala (@CPIMKerala) January 1, 2019

The "Women's Wall" was conceived in the backdrop of frenzied protests witnessed in the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict, allowing all women to pray at the Ayyappa shrine.

The Wall was formed between 4 and 4:15 pm, with participants taking a pledge to uphold gender equality and renaissance values.

While Health minister KK Shylaja is leading the chain at Kasargod, senior CPM leader Brinda Karat is the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram, according to reports.

LDF expected over 30 lakh women to take part in the event.

The Women's wall was suggested at a meeting called by the Kerala government following the massive protests by right-wing parties and a section of devotees over the government's decision to implement the 28 September apex court order, allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at Sabarimala.

“The protests by communal forces against women’s entry in Sabarimala had prompted the government and other progressive organisations to conceive the idea of a Women’s Wall in the state.”

CM Pinarayi Vijayan, as quoted by PTI

The event is being organised by the ruling LDF along with over 176 other socio-political organisations, including the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) and Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS).

(With inputs from PTI.)