On Thursday, more than 100 people were injured when a shutdown to protest turned violent. The protest was against Kerala government that helped two women enter the Sabrimala temple. Many people including 38 policemen were injured in this act. Several places in the state observed violence.
One dead in Kerala protests over Sabarimala row, 100 injured during bandh
In Thrissur, four BJP workers were stabbed while administering the shutdown call by Sabarimala Karma Samithi. Sabarimala Karma Samithi is an umbrella organisation of numerous pro-Hindutva groups that protest against the Supreme Court’s September 28 verdict and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP).
The BJP is in support of the shutdown while on the other hand, the Congress-led UDF is observing a “black day” on Thursday.
Police in Pandalam, Kozhikode, Kasargode and Ottapalam baton charged at protesters. There was lot of chaos and several party offices, buildings and houses were attacked in the state. According to reports, even tear gas was used by the police in Kozhikode to disperse protesters who tried to force government for the 12-hour shutdown.
The shutdown halted the state as many shops, buses, taxis and small business were closed in many places in the state. Everyone one in the state feared that they may get attacked. On Thursday, universities such as Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut and Kannur have postponed examination schedule for students and staff safety.
All this chaos caused was due to women aged between 10 and 50 set the foot in the gold-plated temple situated in a tiger reserve. As Supreme Court abandoned the ban on women of menstruating age entering the temple situated at the top of the hill.
Whenever, women tried to enter the temple, the doorway was blocked by thousands of angry devotes which made impossible for them to pass by. The temple refused to accept the judgement of Supreme Court.
Somehow, Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga dressed in all black were ushered by police into the temple through a side gate. It took place early on Wednesday when devotees were off guard. The temple priests closed the temple to celibate Lord Ayyappa for purification rituals and also to protests against the women entering the temple vented speedily.
On Wednesday, during a stone pelting incident, many people were injured. A 55 year old activist of the Samithi died after getting injured in stone pelting incident in Pathanamthitta.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan while defending the helping of two women getting inside the temple accused the Sangh Parivar provoking chaos in the city.
“The Sangh Parivar is trying to sabotage the Supreme Court verdict. The real devotees are not against the verdict,” the chief minister said.
He added by saying, “Kanakadurga and Bindu were given protection after they sought security to visit the shrine. They were not airdropped. They visited shrine like normal devotees. None of the devotees protested.”
