Not part of any agenda, say Bindu and Kanakadurga

Bindu and Kanakadurga, the two women in their 40s, who created history by defying threats from saffron organizations and offered prayers at Sabarimala temple, said on Thursday that they were not tools of anyone and dismissed as “baseless” the allegations that they were playing into the hands of police and the government.

They also said their aim was Sabarimala darshan and they achieved it without facing any trouble from the devotees. “All the pilgrims going to Sabarimala were very cooperative... We trekked down safely from the shrine,” Kanakadurga said.

In an interview to a Malayalam channel, Kanakadurga said, “Going to Sabarimala was my own decision.”

Dismissing the allegation by the Sangh Parivar outfits and the opposition that they were playing into the hands of police and the government, the women said they “used” the police machinery to enter Sabarimala on the basis of the Supreme Court’s September 28 verdict.

We do not know whether chief minister had any role in our reaching the shrine, she said. “We are a group of like-minded people. That’s why we have come together to trek the temple,” she said.

When asked whether they were devotees or activists, Kanakadurga said there an activist can also be a devotee.

Bindu said that they were adamant and wanted to visit the shrine after failing in their first attempt on December 24. “If we had gone back homes, we were sure that we may never visit Sabarimala. So, we sought help from the police and SPs from two districts,” she said.

She also said they did not disclose where they stayed after the December 24 fiasco as they feared for the safety of their friends.

“We sought security from Pamba and the trip was not in any ambulance. We trekked all the way,” Bindu said.

“I am not affiliated with any political party or organisation now. I have left all those years back. I was part of the CPI(ML)’s central committee and later resigned owing to differences,” she said, adding that she was a key speaker at a BJP event on Human Rights Day years ago.

Bindu said she had the backing of her husband Hariharan on every issue, including Sabarimala, and he had even accompanied the duo till Sannidhanam. On her mother’s criticism, Bindu said her mother has got all rights to express her views.

Kanakadurga said she was staying with her husband and kids but may have some ideological differences. She also said that her husband tried to dissuade her considering her safety.