In 10 Points: Sabarimala shrine to open tomorrow after SC verdict; tension looms large over women's entry

Intense conflicts between women groups trying to make their way to the temple and the Lord Ayappa devotees opposing the SC's verdict allowing entry of women of all age-group in the temple, erupted ahead of the temple's much-anticipated opening.

Kochi: Hindu outfits stage road blockade over Sc's verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups inside Sabarimala temple, on Wednesday/ Image:PTI

New Delhi: Tension continues to build on in the state of Kerala as the Sabarimala temple braces for its much- anticipated opening for monthly pooja on Wednesday- for the first time after the historic verdict of the Supreme Court lifting the age-long ban on entry of women in the menstrual age inside the temple. However, aggressive conflicts between women groups trying to make their way to the temple and the Lord Ayappa devotees opposing the lift of the ban, have marked the days ahead of its opening. Here is a look at the top developments

• Massive protests were staged in Kerala opposing the court’s verdict of allowing entry to women of all age groups in the temple. The group of protesters who have been camping at the Nilakaal base camp which is the way to the hill shrine, stopped women from proceeding further to even the point that they were allowed to go earlier. Some women alleged they were dragged out of the vehicles and blocked from going further.

Image: ABP News screengrab

• Women journalists, who tried to reach the hill temple as part of their official assignments, were also stopped at the base camp.
• Travancore Devaswom Board which is entrusted with the task of administrating the Sabarimala temple among others, reportedly held a meeting with the priests and devotee groups, which did not yield any results.

• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, told reporters that no one would be allowed to block devotees from proceeding to Sabarimala. "Stern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala,” he said.
• Vijayan, made it clear that the government has no intention to file a review petition and would implement the apex court order.
• Reports have it that the temple board citing poor infrastructure damaged further by the recent floods, is likely to ask the Supreme Court to give it more time to implement its verdict allowing women to enter the hillock shrine.
• The Shiv Sena's state unit recently warned of "mass suicides" if women of the "banned" age group visit Sabarimala.
• Though the government had earlier considered deploying women police personnel at Sannidhanam, the temple complex and the 'pathinettam padi,' the sacred 18 steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum, the plan was dropped later following protests of devotees.
• The state unit of BJP slammed the state government for not filing review petition against the verdict and took out a massive rally against women's proposed entry to shrine on Monday. BJP workers have accused the Left-government of conspiring to obliterate the temple by implementing the Supreme Court’s order.  The three-month-long pilgrim season is beginning mid-November and attracts the maximum footfall in the period, many of whom who come from foreign countries.
• Kerala has been witnessing intense protests as a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. Devotees are  angered by the verdict as Lord Ayyappa's character is a 'Naishtika Brahmachari' (a perennial celibate).