An ashram run by Sabarimala verdict supporter priest Swami Sandeepananda Giri in Kerala attacked on Saturday morning by unidentified people. Giri, also the director of the ashram had been facing threats ever since he expressed his support to women’s entry into Sabarimala.
Swami Giri’s two cars and a scooter that belonged to his school of Bhagavad Gita were set on fire on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram at 2:30 am. According to local media reports, a white Maruti Suzuki Omni and a Honda CRV were set put on fire.
#Kerala: Swami Sandeepananda Giri’s ashram in Kundamankadavu in Thiruvananthapuram attacked by unidentified assailants today early morning. Two cars and a two-wheeler belonging to the ashram set ablaze. More details awaited pic.twitter.com/t0DLDfO2rQ
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2018
According to reports, police have been posted in the ashram after the attack to avoid any further unforeseen and a case have been registered against the miscreants. Police are also looking for the attackers. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who visited the ashram this morning, condemned the attack.
Also Read: Kerala cracks down on Sabarimala protesters
“Physical attacks happen when you can’t deal ideologically. We will not allow anyone to take law and order in their hands. Those who are intolerant towards Swami’s activities attacked his ashram,” said CM Vijayan.
“Swami Sandeepananda Giri has been valiantly fighting the positions adopted by Sangh Parivar on the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala. In this ashram, only Swami and another person were living in the house. The fire was lit in a way to engulf the building. It’s only when people from outside alerted the Swami that he got to know about the fire. Thankfully , the fire force reached quickly. This is the extent they will go to attack the real devotees,” said Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac.
Also Read: Hearing on review plea for the recall of Sabarimala verdict on Nov 13
Giri alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party state President Sreedharan Pillai, the Thazhamon family to which the head priests of the Sabarimala temple belong, and the Pandalam royal family, the custodians of the hill shrine, were behind the attack, reported Mathurbhumi on Saturday.
