The opening of Sabarimala Temple gates on Wednesday evening was marred by violent protests over the Supreme Court decision to lift the centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual age. Hordes of activists of Hindu fringe groups took to the street and besieged the road leading to the temple. The protesters heckled women journalists and activists, smashed their vehicles and young female devotees of Lord Ayyappa were turned back as police deployed there failed to maintain the law and order.
The violent protests also stalled the entry of the women whose ban was lifted by the apex court as by available indications none from this age group made it to the famed shrine. Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were put in place in Pamba and NilaKkal by Pathanamthitta district authorities following the following the violence and a strike called by right-wing outfits on Thursday.
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Sabarimala protests - as it happened:
- Portals of Sabarimala Temple opened at 5 pm today. The devotees can offer prayers till 10.30 pm today. The portals remain open till 22nd October.
- Congress is not attacking anybody and definitely attack on journalists is not tolerable. Those who are protesting there, are BJP and RSS people. Nowhere Congress people are engaged in this kind of hooliganism or vandalism: Ramesh Chennithala, Congress
- Visuals of protests from Pamba as protests continue against SC's verdict over the entry of women of all age groups in Sabarimala Temple.
- I can predict what is going on there, I think it is intentional, it's dirty politics they (protesters) are playing. We can't say if they are actual devotees. Supreme Court's order is Constitutional & govt is bound to implement it: K K Shailaja, Kerala Minister
- Protesters block and attack a woman journalist's car in Pathanamthitta.
- A total 30 people have been arrested in Pamba --- nine on Tuesday and 21 so far on Wednesday, in connection with protests against the entry of women into the Sabarimala Temple. Two, among them, have been given bail.
- Over 20 people including former Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan taken into custody in Nilakkal and Pamba for protesting.
- A woman Madhavi on her way to the temple returned mid-way along with her relatives after facing protests.
- Police detain people protesting agianst the entry of women at Pampa.
- Two women devotees reach Sabarimala temple, sent back by protesters, reports NDTV.
- Women protest in Nilakkal
- Protests being held near Pamba base camp
- Number of protesters arrested rise to 11, according to leading news channels
- Police arrest seven women protesters in Sabarimala
- Pilgrims arrive at Nilakcal, the base camp of Lord Ayyappa's shrine.
- Devotees of Lord Ayyappa who have gathered at Nilakcal said, "We are facing problems as administration is not giving clear answers on when doors will open."
- A woman attempted to hang herself from a tree in Thiruvananthapuram in protest against the Supreme Court's verdict over the entry of women of all age group into the temple. She was saved by locals and the police.
- Kerala: A woman attempted to hang herself from a tree in Thiruvananthapuram in protest against the Supreme Court's verdict over the entry of women of all age group in #SabarimalaTemple. She was saved by locals and the police. pic.twitter.com/HAth1nj0eB
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