LIVE UPDATES: Lakhs of women to attempt to form 620-km-long 'Women's Wall' from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram over Sabarimala entry issue

Lakhs of women from across Kerala are expected to form a 620 km state-sponsored 'Women's Wall' on Tuesday to uphold gender equality and renaissance values, in the backdrop of frenzied protests in Sabarimala after the ruling LDF decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict, allowing all women to pray at the Ayyappa shrine.

The women will form the wall from Kasargod in northern Kerala to the southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram.

Health minister KK Shylaja will lead the chain at Kasargod and CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat will be the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram. In order to ensure the success of the proposed wall, meetings were held at various levels-from ward level to district and constituency level.

READ: Two Women Start Trekking To Sabarimala Escorted By Police

The participants will gather at the designated centers on Tuesday at 3 PM, where a rehearsal will be held. The Wall will be formed between 4 and 4.15 PM, with participants taking a pledge to uphold gender equality and renaissance values.

The proposed wall was suggested at a meeting called by the Kerala government in the backdrop of frenzied protests by right-wing parties and a section of devotees over the states  decision to implement the September 28 apex court order, allowing women of all ages into Sabarimala. "Finding a solution to the issues faced by women is seen as part of the class struggle,"Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Monday, adding that ensuring gender equality was part of class struggle.

While senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has described the initiative as a 'wall of contradiction', UDF MLA M K Muneer had has termed it as a 'communal' wall for inviting participation only from 'progressive Hindu organisations'. The government has spared no effort to make the wall a huge success with all ministers given charge of either a district or a particular place for the success of the event. The event is organised by the ruling CPI(M), along with over 176 other socio-political organisations, including the CPI, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) and Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS).

READ: 11 Women Try To Trek Sabarimala; Tension Prevails In Pamba

The Nair Service Society (NSS), a prominent caste-based  organization, RSS and the right-wing groups have opposed this move and formed Ayyappa Jyothi (lighting of acred lamps). across the state on December 26 to counter it. 

-PTI

Trupti Desai spoke about the Women's Wall:

"When women tried to enter the temple, they did not allow us. This is a fight for equality. This movement is historical," she said.

Rahul Easwar has commented on the issue and said: "This is a political gimmick. We are not against the Sabarimala."

Sitaram Yechury called the Women's Wall an affront to the communal agenda being put forth by BJP and RSS.

"Lakhs of women joining in solidarity means we are working with the ethos to protect and work towards renaissance in the area. This is a stong slap on the face of communal forces who are seeking to divide and disrupt the unity of our people, This will go down in the history as a record action that is a straight affront to the communal agenda being put forth by the BJP government and the RSS," he said.

Wall of Equality formed in Kozhikode:

Brinda Karat joins women to form the Wall of Equality

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan with CPI-M leader Brinda Karat:

The Wall of Equality event across Kerala: