Sabarimala Temple to allow entry of women exclusively for two days: Kerala government to High Court

After a widespread ruckus over the entry of women to Sabarimala Temple, the Pinarayi Vijayan government on Friday assured the Kerala High Court that it would take necessary steps for allowing women devotees at Lord Ayyappa shrine exclusively for two days. The development came after Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Jayashankaran Nambiar considered a writ petition filed by four women seeking protection and reserved days to enter Sabarimala Temple.

"4 women file petition at Kerala HC seeking police protection for Sabarimala darshan and seeking directions from court for state govt to ensure the protection to them who are facing life threat. They also demanded particular days reserved for only women's entry in the temple," the news agency ANI reported.

4 women file petition at Kerala HC seeking police protection for #Sabarimala darshan & seeking directions from court for state govt to ensure the protection to them who are facing life threat. They also demanded particular days reserved for only women's entry in the temple

— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2018

Read | Sabarimala Temple reopens for two months; activist Trupti Desai barred from entering Kerala shrine

Furthermore, a contempt petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court against BJP Kerala president PS Sreedharam Pillai, Sabarimala priest and three others for not implementing the top court's order.

Contempt petition filed in SC against BJP Kerala President, PS Sreedharan Pillai, #Sabarimala temple priest & 3 others. Earlier, Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, declined to give sanction to file petition, so petitioners filed the application directly in the SC

— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2018

On November 19, the Travancore Devaswom Board, which is in charge of Sabarimala Temple, moved the Supreme Court asking for more time to implement its judgement allowing women in the menstrual age to worship at the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

Read | Sabarimala Temple: Late night protests, devotees detained at Sannidhaman

Last week, the Sabarimala gates were thrown open owning to the month-long Mandalakalam pooja till December 26, followed by another window till January 20 to mark the annual pilgrimage season in the southern state.

Kerala witnessed a string of protests following Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowing the entry of women between the menstrual age group of 10-50 to enter the shrine. Protestors blocked the entry of many women who attempted to reach the hill shrine in Sabarimala and further urged the government to take legal steps in order to revert the Supreme Court order.

Over 3,000 protesters have been arrested and at least 529 cases have been registered so far in connection with the series of incidents triggering violence across the state.

Read | Supreme Court to review Sabarimala verdict in open court on January 22

However, the Supreme Court on January 22 will review its September 28 verdict and is scheduled to hear all the 49 petitions challenging the enty of women to Sabarimala Temple.