The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on October 21 announced that it will launch a one-month long campaign across Kerala against the apex court’s verdict allowing women of all age groups to enter the Sabarimala Temple.
K. Surendran, Kerala BJP General Secretary reportedly said, “There will be a month-long Sabarimala Aiyyappa Samrakshnaye Abhiyaan (Save Sabarimala Campaign) across Kerala. We will be going to every single booth, will visit every house and tell people about the importance of the sanctity of Sabarimala Temple.”
While claiming that the BJP’s state unit has got the support of the top leadership in the Sabarimala matter he added, “We have their (top brass) support and we will be seeking their guidance on this matter, whenever it’s needed.”
Surendran further added, “We are for the law and order maintenance, the government can take any action they want, we are ready to face, for Aiyyappa we are ready to face everything.”
Earlier today, a woman suffered from a panic attack after protesters surrounded and heckled her. She had trekked almost 4 km when the protestors surrounded her and checked her ID card for age. The protesters were not stopped by police. She fell unconscious and had to be taken to a hospital in Pamba.
Today only two other women had to turn back after facing similar treatment from groups that have been camping on way to the hill shrine, determined not to let any woman of reproductive age set foot there.
Since the temple opened on October 17- the first time after the apex court’s ruling – no woman has been able to reach the temple gates. So far, only eight women have attempted the nearly 19 km trek.
