New Delhi:
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:
Visuals of protests from Pamba as protests continue against SC's verdict over the entry of women of all age groups in #SabarimalaTemple. #Keralapic.twitter.com/jNilEVmeET
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
#Kerala:Protesters block and attack a woman journalist's car in Pathanamthitta #SabarimalaTemplepic.twitter.com/7TfRf2YIMi
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Nilakkal: A woman Madhavi on her way to #SabarimalaTemple returned mid-way along with her relatives after facing protests. #Keralapic.twitter.com/OUCbOqa1aO
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Pamba: Police detain people protesting against the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 women to Kerala's #SabarimalaTemplepic.twitter.com/DLdoYMVz8J
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
#WATCH: Women protest in Nilakkal against the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 to #Sabarimala temple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/GuxDZo0R7G
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Kerala: Protests being held near Pamba base camp against entry of women in the age group 10-50 to #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/JTZ2negQ5L
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
#TamilNadu: Pilgrims begin arriving at Nilakkal, the base camp of #SabarimalaTemple as the portals of the temple are all set to open today. pic.twitter.com/4Fw4eYvMum
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Kerala: #Visuals of heavy security deployment near Nilakkal, the base camp of #SabarimalaTemple as the portals of the temple are all set to open today. pic.twitter.com/YomkknhEVl
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Devotees of Lord Ayyappa who have gathered at Nilakkal, the base camp of #SabarimalaTemple as the gate of the temple is all set to open today, say, "We are facing problems as administration is not giving clear answers on when doors will open." #Kerala pic.twitter.com/LQxNRm6YWr
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018