Kerala woman activist Rehana Fathima, who tried to enter Sabarimala, suspended by BSNL

Considering the protest against her by devotees of Lord Ayyappa and BJP activists, the BSNL had earlier transferred her to the Palarivattom telephone exchange in the city where public contact is not required.

Controversy had erupted in Kerala after Fathima made an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple when it was opened for monthly puja in October following the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age group of 10-50./ ANI Image/ File

NEW DELHI: Activist Rehana Fathima, who had attempted to enter the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala when it opened for monthly puja last month, was suspended by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Tuesday. News agency ANI reported that 32-year-old Fathima was a telecom technician in BSNL was suspended and a BSNL spokesperson said Fathima was suspended from service in view of the police investigation against her. She was earlier arrested by Pathanamthitta Police on charges of hurting religious sentiments. Considering the protest against her by devotees of Lord Ayyappa and BJP activists, the BSNL had earlier transferred her to the Palarivattom telephone exchange in the city where public contact is not required. A controversy had erupted in Kerala after Fathima made an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple when it was opened for monthly puja in October following the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age group of 10-50. She was among the two women who had reached the hilltop on October 19 but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum due to massive protests by Ayyappa devotees. On September 28, the Supreme Court had lifted the centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine, but a section of devotees is protesting the decision. So far, no woman has entered the shrine.