Protests Intensify as the Doors of the Sabarimala Temple Open, Section 144 Imposed

Section 144 – barring unlawful assembly – has been imposed in four areas close to Sabarimala temple, shortly after the doors of the sanctum sanctuary were opened at 5 pm on Wednesday. It will be effective in Nillakkal, Pamba, Sannidhanam and Elavumkal. According to reports, protesters won’t be allowed in areas within 30 km-radius from the temple.  

Pathanamthitta District Collector PB Nooh said that Section 144 will be come into effect from Wednesday midnight for two days. However, the collector made it clear that that there would be no obstruction to peaceful pilgrims, while no permission will be given for the protests in the area. 

The decision has come in the wake of violence perpetrated by the demonstrators protesting against the SC verdict allowing all women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple. The doors of the sanctum sanctuary were opened at 5 pm on Wednesday, and will remain open till October 22.

Prior to opening of the doors of the Sabarimala shrine, the protesters have been checking the vehicles, including police vehicles, to see whether there is any woman pilgrim heading to Sabarimala. When the protesters learnt that the women devotees are heading to Sabarimala in the escort of police force, they reportedly turned violent, attacking women journalists, police and the devotees. The police have reportedly chased away a group of protesters at Nilakkal.

The protesters were forcibly turning women back, who had come to visit the shrine despite police assurance that no one will be prevented from taking part in the pilgrimage. Though the police tried to calm the protesters, they allegedly pelted stones on the police, prompting lathi charge by the police. This further enraged the protesters, who reportedly smashed the window panes of a police vehicle which was carrying away the injured women mediapersons.

Targetting the women journalists, who were in Nilakkal near Sabarimala to cover the protests, the demonstrators destroyed cameras, OB vans and other equipment of national as well as Malayalam news organisations.  According to reports, Saritha S Balan from The News Minute was kicked on the spine. Republic TV's Pooja Prasanna was beaten with sticks; NTDV crew was heckled, and was asked to leave, while reporters from CNN-News 18 and Aaj Tak were also targeted.

“As the police tried to give a protective ring to Saritha to get her out of the bus, the mob physically attacked her, and one of them in fact kicked her on her spine. The mob used the worst kind of verbal abuses against her as well. She was kicked from behind as angry devotees took her photograph, called her derogatory names and chanted slogans in the name of Ayyappa,” The News Minute reported.  

The National Women's Commission has taken note of the attack.

Read More: Sabarimala Protests: Talks to Resolve the Issue Fail, Protesters Turn Violent

The violent mob was further seen obstructing the reporters from reporting. The demonstrators were allegedly forcing Malayalam channel reporters to say that the police was pelting stones at protesters.  

Reports from Pampa and Nilakkal suggest that women government officials, who are deployed on official duty, have been forced to show their identity cards to the demonstrators to proceed to their duties. The protesters have been checking the age of the officials, and are trying to take the law in their hands thereby.

Over 50 people, including former Travancore Devaswom Board President Prayar Gopalakrishnan, have been taken into custody in Nilakkal and Pamba. In the morning, police arrested members of the Pandalam Royal and Sabarimala temple Tantri families, including women, who were taking part in a protest.  Activist and Tantri family member Rahul Eashwar has also been reportedly detained.

Read More: Sabarimala Protests: Politically Motivated?

Similar protests at various places in and around the temple town on Wednesday forced a 45-year-old woman from Andhra Pradesh and her family to abandon their trip to the Ayyappa temple.

The woman, Madhavi, who was accompanied by her parents and children, began the climb leading to the hilltop temple, hours before its opening for the monthly puja rituals. Ten minutes into their trek, accompanied by the police force, the family had to abandon their plans, as angry protesters went after her, shouting and abusing. Madhavi then reportedly decided to return.

Another woman devotee, Liby, who got down at the Pathanamthitta bus stand, and was to board a bus to Nilackal, faced angry devotees who booed her.

"I wanted to pray at the Sabarimala temple," she said, as police took her to a police station for protection.

On Wednesday morning, Loknath Behra said there was a very strong police presence in and around Sabarimala. "None will be stopped nor will anyone be allowed to take law into their hands. Anyone can come and pray," he added.

Barring the ruling Left government, the Congress, BJP and Hindu organisations have raised voice against the apex court ruling. Industries Minister E P Jayarajan said that those opposing the entry of women into the temple will face the wrath of the Sabarimala Ayyappa.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, repeatedly said that the state will uphold the Supreme Court order.

Read More: SC Upholds Women’s Right to Enter Sabarimala Temple