The Sabarimala Temple in Kerala will open its doors to women of all age groups for the first time in history. This historical event will occur at 5 pm today. This is being done according to the Supreme Court ruling given last month that has permitted the entry of women in the temple.
The verdict from the apex court of India got mixed responses. Several thousand protesters had flocked the streets of Kerala. They demanded an overturn in the ruling. They cited that it was against their traditional beliefs. A meeting by The Travancore Devaswom Board, a temple body yesterday with various stakeholders including the Pandalam royal family and Ayyappa devotees failed to come to a conclusion on the matter.
Several of the devotees, mainly women, stopped and checked buses, cars and pulled out women asking them to go back. On the other hand, Kerala police have issued an order that anyone trying to obstruct entry will amount to a criminal conspiracy. They have also assured the deployment of heavy security as the situation intensifies. Since today morning, 7 protestors have already been arrested for causing a ruckus.
Chief Minister Pinarayi has already announced in a press meet that the state would not be submitting a review petition. He also declared that the state will ensure that the facilities allow all devotees to enter the previously forbidden shrine.
Till now, over 50 people including former Travancore Devaswom Board President Prayar Gopalakrishnan have been taken into custody. Violence was spread in the name of religion as a mob of 100 people smashed cars and attacked news channel Republic TV’s South Indian Bureau Chief.
