A 46-year-old woman is the third one forced to abort the Sabarimala pilgrimage today in the face of vehement protests and an ultimatum by the chief priest to shut the shrine if any woman enters. The latest attempt, too, was undertaken under heavily police cover hours after a journalist and a devotee from Kochi managed to travel till 500 metres from the shrine. The chief priest of the shrine has said he will lock the temple and walk out if any woman enters the temple. A large number of devotees blocked the young women and police team escorting them at Valiya Nadappandhal, the queue complex located a few metres away from the holy 'pathinettam padi' (the 18 sacred steps), leading to the sanctum sanctorum. The women were identified as a reporter from Hyderabad in her late 20s and an activist from Kerala. The devotees, including senior citizens and children, protested against the entry of women of menstrual age group into the hill shrine. Tension was defused after the women agreed to return as the state government made it clear it did not want to take them to the Sannidhanam, the temple complex, by using force against the protesting devotees. The firm stand taken by the 'tantri' (head priest) that he would close the temple if the women were escorted into the sanctum sanctorum also persuaded them to return as per instructions of the police. Though the women had earlier insisted they should reach the shrine, police later convinced them about the gravity of the situation and conveyed the stand taken by the government and the head priest. If they had reached the shrine, they would have been the first women from the menstruating age group to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala after the Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to enter the shrine. Inspector General S Sreejith, who led the police team escorting the women, later told reporters the women have expressed their willingness to go back. "The tantri has informed me that he will close the temple and go if the women enter the shrine complex. It was conveyed to the women and they have expressed their willingness to go back. We will give them protection in the same manner to climb down the hills," he said. Devotees received his announcement with thunderous chanting of "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa". Earlier besides devotees, a group of "parikarmies", temple employees assisting priests in puja, also squatted on the holy steps and protested against taking the women to the shrine complex. As the situation appeared to be going out of control with the protesters blocking the way sitting on the floor, Sreejith told them they were only implementing the law but there was no plan to go forward by hurting their sentiments. State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who was in the state capital, told mediapersons that the government was not ready to use force and hurt the sentiments of devotees. He also said that one of the women was later identified as an activist and holy Sabarimala was not a place to show their strength and activism. "The government has the duty and responsibility to implement the Supreme Court order and give protection to devotees but not for activists," Surendran said. "Police should have examined the veracity and background of the women who came to trek to the shrine," the minister added. Madhavi, a devotee from Andhra Pradesh, and a New Delhi-based woman journalist were also forced to return following intense protests by devotees in the past two days. Kerala has been witnessing massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple since the government decided to implement the apex court order. The devotees had intensified the agitation at the shrine complex and nearby areas including the base camps, Nilackal and Pamba, since the shrine was opened for the five-day monthly puja on October 17.<doc-sep>By Online Desk An entry point near the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala on Friday virtually turned into an area of confrontation for the third straight day, after three women of menstruating age attempted to enter the hill shrine. Adding more fuel to the controversy, former Travancore Devaswom Board President Prayar Gopalakrishnan called the entire episode as an agenda driven one and asserted that Sabarimala is not a place for sex tourism. He said, "This is agenda driven. Police is also involved in it...This is not a place for sex tourism. This is the abode of Lord Ayappa." This is agenda driven. Police is also involved in it...This is not a place for sex tourism. This is the abode of lord Ayappa: Prayar Gopalakrishnan, former Travancore Devaswom Board President #SabarimalaTemple #Kerala pic.twitter.com/XiAJgRtRFf — ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018 A few days back, Prayar Gopalakrishnan had said that restrictions on the entry of women in the 10-50 age group at Sabarimala was due to a speciality of the deity. “Gender equality is not violated here, but only the restriction on the age group of the women,” he said. He went on to add that the protection and continuance of the speciality of the deity would be needed for the very existence of the temple. He said women in the restricted age group won’t offer worship at Sabarimala as they are aware of the importance of the temple practice and the speciality of the deity. "Even after the SC verdict, women who believe in the ongoing practices won’t visit the hill shrine. Devotees won’t prevent the entry of women at Sabarimala. However, chances of violation of law and order could not be ruled out if vested interests play a dirty game in the name of the court order, he warned, adding that the authorities should be on alert to prevent any violence," he said. Gopalakrishnan had earlier warned that he is ready to sacrifice his life for the cause of protecting ongoing practices at the temple. (With inputs from ENS)<doc-sep>BJP youth wing protesters during a protest at Nilakkal. (Express Photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy) BJP youth wing protesters during a protest at Nilakkal. (Express Photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy) With protests at the Sabarimala temple showing no signs of waning, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the shrine, said Friday that it would file a detailed report on the ‘grave situation’ to the Supreme Court. Agitations against a Supreme Court order that allowed women of all ages to enter the Lord Ayappa shrine in Sabarimala have intensified since Wednesday when the temple opened to the public. On Friday, two women — an activist and a journalist — who attempted to enter the shrine under police escort were turned back after threats by the temple priest that he would close the temple. TDB president, A Padmakumar, who is also a CPI (M) party leader, reiterated that the board will not file a review petition in the SC. “Already as many as 25 review petitions have come up before the Supreme Court on the Sabarimala issue. The board is a respondent in all the petitions. Hence, we will get a chance to present our side. For now, we are going to furnish a report narrating the grave situation in the wake of the SC verdict,’’ he said. Read | Will Sabarimala rewrite the Kerala secular story? He also said that senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi will represent the board in the apex court. “The board will consult Singhvi and other advocates in the Kerala High Court on the future course of action. The board has decided to intervene in the issue and none should question our sincerity in this case,’’ he said. According to Padmakumar, the existing situation at Sabarimala is causing the pilgrims trouble. “The board has the responsibility to implement the court order. At the same time, there is a direction from the Union Government to ensure the pilgrims’ protection. However, the board cannot agree with those who go up the temple with the agenda to demonstrate something. The board does not want to make it a conflict zone. Everyone should show restraint,’’ he said. Read | Murmurs on ground suggest Sabarimala will polarise Kerala’s Hindu voters like never before Echoing his remarks, CPI (M) leader and Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said: “The government wanted to protect the interest of the faithful. Sabarimala should not become a battlefield… activists should not convert a sacred place to show their strength. The government is ready to intervene. It is for protecting the interest of lakhs of devotees. Police should have checked the background of the activists who have gone up to the temple.” Earlier in the day, two women attempting to enter the Sabarimala temple under police escort turned back after the CPM-ed government flagged down the journey under mounting protests. The two women are activist Rehana Fathima (31) from Kochi, and journalist Kavitha, from Andhra Pradesh. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan underscored that his government would continue to facilitate the entry of all at the temple. (Express Photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan underscored that his government would continue to facilitate the entry of all at the temple. (Express Photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy) While Rehana reached the Pamba base camp dressed as a pilgrim, Kavitha said she wanted to go to the shrine as part of her job. The women had sought police protection Thursday night. Orders prohibiting the assembly of more than four people, which were promulgated at the temple complex, Pamba and Nillakal, have been extended for three days till October 22, the day the temple closes. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the TDB has gone back on its promise to move a review petition under political pressure. “The board has betrayed the people. It is acting as per the directions of the CPI (M) and CPI. The board has a responsibility to protect the interest of the people. However, it is interested only in a political decision,’’ he said. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan underscored that his government would continue to facilitate the entry of all at the temple. In a post on Facebook, Vijayan, who is abroad, said the Centre has written to the state to ensure strict security for all pilgrims, which shows that police action for security has the support of the Union government. Referring to the Sabarimala priest’s threat to close the temple down if young women were allowed to enter, Vijayan said there were similar incidents in the past. “The Travancore government in 1936 had ordered entry for all at Krishna temple at Guruvayur. But, lower castes were not allowed entry till 1947. It was a nine-year-long people’s agitation that led to the entry of all sections of people to the temple. This history reminds us that people’s freedom of worship cannot be denied,” he said. “It is the government duty to protect all who desire to pray at Sabarimala. A section of people is preventing those who come for darsan as per the SC verdict. The police are engaged in overcoming such attempts and ensuring temple darsan for them.”<doc-sep>
Sabarimala has seen violent protests in the past few days as activists of Hindu fringe groups fought pitched battles with police, leaving many injured and bleeding. The legal battle over the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala appears set to be revived, as the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) announced its intention to file an urgent affidavit in the Supreme Court. A number of review petitions are currently pending before the apex court. The board is a temple body which manages the Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala. Last month, the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict had held that women of all ages should be allowed inside the temple and that rules prohibiting the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 years were violative of the Constitution. TDB president A Padmakumar said that it will approach senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi and request him to appear for it in the Supreme Court. He also said that the board will take a decision on whether to file a review petition after consultations with Singhvi. He further said, "We want peace. We do not want the Sabarimala to become a protest site." Padmakumar on Friday had said that the board is ready for "any type of compromise to sort this issue." On Wednesday, the iron gates of Sabarimala temple were opened for the first time since the Supreme Court's verdict. However, no woman from the previously "banned" age group could make it to its precincts amid protests and violent clashes. Sabarimala has seen violent protests in the past few days as activists of Hindu fringe groups fought pitched battles with police, leaving many injured and bleeding. The Opposition BJP and Congress have backed the protests, and have heaped criticism on the LDF government for its decision not to file a review petition against the apex court's verdict. They also hit out at the state government for allegedly extending support to bring women activists to Sabarimala temple, hurting the sentiments of devotees. The Centre has asked the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to tighten security in view of the continuing protests. With inputs from PTI