Sabarimala Temple row: Kerala Tense, Shutdown turns violent in many places

Sabarimala Temple row: Kerala Tense

Shutdown turns violent in many places

Tiruvanantapuram: Widespread violence was reported across Kerala as a shutdown began on Thursday, 3^rd January 2019, day after two women under the age of 50 managed to enter the Sabarimala temple.


The BJP had called for a two-day protest against the women’s entry in the Sabarimala temple under police protection.


At many places in the Kerala the situation is getting out of control. Angry protesters are not paying any heed to their leaders. The situation has become grave in Palakkad, Kozhikode and Pandalam.

On Wednesday, angry protestors blocked roads in many parts of the state. Police caned protestors in Kasargode, Palakkad, Kollam and many other places. A group of women jumped a barricade and came close to the CM’s office in the state capital, but were overpowered. Many government buses and vehicles were pelted with stones.

RSS leader PEB Menon wants the Centre to bring an ordinance to protect believers in Sabarimala. “ Devotees have lost faith in state government. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan adamant posture has led to sorry state” he said.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday defended the act of two women who entered Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, saying they did not arrive in a helicopter to have ‘darshan’.


“These two women came just like any other pilgrim and went up the way that all pilgrims go to the temple. They never came on a helicopter to have darshan,” Vijayan told the media here.


He said other pilgrims made the process of ‘darshan’ smooth when the two women pilgrims prayed at the temple.

Four BJP workers were stabbed in Kerala’s Thrissur while enforcing shutdown.

The chief minister is responsible for on going violence”, said Congress led-UDF convenor Benny Behnan.

Police baton-charged in Pandalam, Kozhikode, Kasargode and Ottapalam, reports said.

Meanwhile one devotee died after injured in stone pelting while participating in protest.

CM claimed he died due to heart attack in Hospital, while BJP targeted Govt for his death. BJP said CM is responsible for the death of devotee.

Several Police injured and several vehicles damaged.