Sabarimala: Kerala tense amid protests over 2 women entering Lord Ayyappa shrine, state wide shutdown today

Protests sparked off at many places in Kerala after the news of the two women in their 40 entering the Lord Ayyappa spread. Right-wing activists blocked highways and forced closure of shops and markets.

Sabarimala Temple - File Image

Amid protests at several places in Kerala after two women entered and offered prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala on Wednesday, various pro-Hindutva groups have called for a state-wide shutdown on Thursday. Protests sparked off at many places in Kerala after the news of the two women in their 40 entering the Lord Ayyappa shrine spread. Right-wing activists blocked highways and forced closure of shops and markets. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Yuva Morcha activists allegedly attacked media personnel who were reporting from outside the state secretariat. Sabarimala Karma Samiti Samiti's leader K P Sasikala announced shutdown from dawn-to-dusk. The Samiti urged people to cooperate with them in their protest. The protest is been seen as an act against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine. Sasikala said the protests would continue till Pinarayi Vijayan resigns as chief minister. Among the journalists attacked were Asianet reporter Prakula, Deccan Chronicle photojournalist Peethambaran Payyeri, Mathrubhumi video-journalist Biju. Camera and equipment of channels like Mathrubhumi and Media One were also damaged. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists' flayed the attack on the media personnel and sought stern action.