The Sabarimala temple in Kerala opened on Wednesday for the first time after Supreme Court’s order of permitting women’s entry into the 800-year old shrine. However, right-wing groups held violent protests outside the shrine. As a result, not a single woman aged between 10 to 50 entered the temple.
The protestors pelted stones at the police force and vehicles,attacking even media professionals. Reportedly, four women journalists —Saritha Balan of The News Minute, Pooja Prasanna of Republic TV, Radhika Ramaswamy of CNN-News 18 and Maushumi Singh of India Today — along with their crew members were attacked by the mob when they attempted to enter the temple.
Also Read: Tension Prevails In Nilackal Ahead Of Sabarimala’s Opening; Police Evict Protesters
Three cars, including two of television news channels, were attacked by the violent agitators, as the police officials acted like spectators.
The protestors also stopped a KSRTC bus and forced women passengers to get off after which, the police resorted to baton charge.
A Delhi-based woman journalist of a foreign media outlet, who trekked the Sabarimala Hill, was stopped midway by Lord Ayyappa devotees, PTI reported.
Reporters of Malayalam news channels who followed the journalist to the hill shrine said the devotees shouted slogans ‘ladies go back’. Some even allegedly hurled abuses at her opposing her entry into the ancient shrine.
Also Read: Tension Mounts As Devotees Stop Women From Travelling To Sabarimala
Later in the day, the state administration imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which prohibits assembly of more than four persons, in four places —Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavungal.
Amid intensifying protest in the region against the entry of women in the menstrual age group in the Sabarimala temple, the state administration has imposed Section 144 in four places– Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavungal
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