Ongoing Clashes around Sabarimala Temple, Kerala State as Hindu Hardliners Prevent Women from Entering Despite Supreme Court Rul
Category: Unrest
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
10/19/2018 (India) - Tensions remained high on Friday, 19 October around the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala state as Hindu devotees blocked women from entering the temple for a third consecutive day since a high court ruling allowing women to enter the temple came into effect. Last month India's Supreme Court overturned a 1991 ruling by the Kerala High Court which forbade women over the age of 10 and below the age of 50 from entering the temple, and the ruling came into effect on Wednesday, 17 October. On Friday, despite being escorted by around 100 riot police, two women were prevented from entering the shrine having got to just 500m from its 'Golden Steps', having covered the 5km trek up to the shrine from the Pamba base camp, after devotees blocked the way and threatened to close the temple. Further clashes have been seen over the previous two days, with violence erupting at the base camps of Nilakkal and Pamba, with journalists' cars being attacked and women attempting to start the climb being forced back by threats and intimidation. On Wednesday seven protesters were arrested following clashes with police trying to disperse them in Nilakkal and a further five devotees and 15 policemen were injured during running battles as police struggled to control the situation. Further attempts by women to approach the Lord Ayyappa temple in the coming days are likely to be met with more forceful protests.
Members are advised to avoid the vicinity of the temple and the base camps due to the likelihood of ongoing clashes. Monitor local media for the latest updates on the situation and those in the area should adhere to any directives issued by local authorities. Due to this being a sensitive cultural issue, members should refrain from discussing the topic in public.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
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