Amid protests, the famous Sabarimala Temple in Kerala opened its doors on Wednesday for the women devotees of all ages.
Tensions are running high in Kerala as the gates to the hill shrine opened for the first time since the Supreme Court overturned a centuries-old ban on women in the 10-50 age group.
As devotees make their way to the temple, those opposing the judgment are forcefully stopping women of “menstruating age” at Nilakkal and not letting them to reach the last base camp before the temple.
Nilakkal, the main access point is around 20 km from the shrine, where pilgrims disembark.
Security personnel were deployed in Nilakkal to ensure entry of all devotees into the hill temple.
About 1,000 police personnel, including women, have been posted around Sabarimala and at the two base camps along the route after yesterday’s violence.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan earlier said that the state government will follow the Supreme Court verdict and the government will not request a review of the order as there should be no discrimination on the basis of gender.
