Sabarimala Temple row: Kerala shutdown affects normal life

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.