Kerala Bandh: Hindu group announces 12-hour state-wide shutdown

A day after a massive protest broke out in Kerala against the entry of women at Sabarimala temple, the state government has banned gathering of more than five people in Sannidhanam, Pamaba Nilakkal, and Elavungal.

According to the report, 12-hour state-wide Bandh has been announced today by a group that calls itself the Sabarimala Protection Committee. Several shops are shut and vehicles are off the roads.

The state administration on Thursday imposed Section 144 in four places —  Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavungal. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) prohibits an assembly of more than four people in an area.

The Bandh has been supported by state BJP unit, while Congress leader Chennithala has said that the key issue in the temple was ‘not one of gender equality’.

Excepting left government, the Congress, BJP, and Hindu groups are ranged against the Supreme Court’s 28 September verdict — lifting the centuries-old ban on women between 10 and 50 years entering Sabarimala, the temple of Lord Ayyappa.

“The CPI-M-led government has not even cared to file a review petition while the BJP and RSS are out to create problems. Here the issue is of faith and traditions,” Mr Chenithala told NDTV.

Following the protest,  the temple was opened to devotees yesterday. The protesters attempted to block women devotees from visiting the shrine, clashed with the police and even attacked a woman journalist.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said no one would be allowed to stop devotees going to Sabarimala. But, his word seems to have no value in the state.

The popular shrine Sabarimala was opened for the first time on October 17, after the apex court’s historic verdict last month. The judges said in their verdict, ‘devotion can’t be subject to discrimination’.

Protesters threw stones at the police and were in turn lathi-charged at Nilackal and Pamba, the two main access points on the way to the shrine. More than a dozen protesters were arrested.

Also read: Sabarimala Temple: Kerala minister EP Jayarajan blames RSS-BJP for violence