As the countdown to entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala temple begins, Ayyappa devotees hit the streets in protest

Days before doors to Kerala’s Sabarimala temple will be open for women of all ages, several groups are protesting in Thiruvananthapuram against Left government's decision to not to file a review against Supreme Court verdict in case.

Pandalam royal family who raised Sabarimala Ayyappan temple have started ir fasting in front of Kerala Secretariat at Trivandrum. Many right wing activists are also sitting in protest against top court’s verdict allowing women of all ages to enter hilltop shrine.

Activist Rahul Eashwar, while speaking exclusively to Republic TV, said protest is to stop “so called ultra feminists to enter Sabarimala temple”.

“ Sabarimala temple is alrey allowing women below 10 and over 50. We know matter is in Supreme Court, but our protest is like Jallikattu kind of protest which will happen in Gandhian way, we will not indulge in violence or hurt anyone. Around 10000 people, including thousands of women, will walk towards Sabarimala to save our culture and we will stop so called ultra feminists to enter Sabarimala temple,” said Rahul Eashwar.

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"An ordinance should be brought by both state and center on this matter, else protests will intensify. We will personally check ID cards to verify age of women who are going to visit temple, none can trespass without this scrutiny by us. We are rey to attend government's meeting, but government should forfeit its prejudice. y cannot call us after deciding something. We are open for meeting if government is with open mind to discuss issue,” he ded.

Meanwhile, Kerala government will be holding meeting with believers in Trivandrum, Kollam and Pathanamthitta where CM Pinarayi Vijayan will explain reasons behind government not appealing against Supreme Court verdict. meetings are expected to be held on 16th, 23rd and 24th of this month.

Earlier on October 9, Supreme Court refused urgent hearing on a review petition filed against verdict allowing entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala temple.

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CJI Ranjan Gogoi said review petitions will be listed in normal course of proceedings that no stay will be granted.

In a historic verdict, Supreme Court on September 28 ended centuries old practice and allowed women of all ages to enter Sabarimala temple. 4:1 judgment of Supreme Court upheld women's right to worship Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala. While terming ban on women in age group of 10 to 51 as religious patriarchy, CJI Dipak Misra declared discriminatory act as unconstitutional and violative of fundamental rights.