Before Sabarimala temple gates reopening on Sunday, the shrine saw a temporary ban on Saturday night foreseeing violence and protest by right-wing activists. Fearing any aggravation to the already worsened situation, The Sabarimala Karma Samiti, a group leading the protests against the entry of women into the temple, has drafted an open letter to all media houses requesting them to not depute women journalists to cover the protest.
Sabarimala security tightens
- According to a Kerala police press release, 1,500 personnel are guarding Sabarimala and nearby areas. A 20-member commando team has been deployed at Sannidhanam, Nilackal, and Pamba. Prohibitory orders will come into force from Saturday midnight.
- Barricades have been erected at many places en route to Nilackal and police is allowing vehicles only after checking.
- Comprehensive traffic arrangements have been made in Pathanamthitta, where the shrine is situated. Private vehicles carrying pilgrims would be allowed to go only up to Nilackal, a base camp, police said.
- Kerala police have introduced online booking for pilgrims, which would enable them to conveniently choose the day and time of ‘darshan’.
- According to officials, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation tickets are compulsory for all pilgrims, who reach Nilackal.
- Kerala government has said it is ready for talks with the Nair Service Society (NSS), an outfit which is against the entry of women of menstrual age into the hill shrine.
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No Women Journalist to Sabarimala Please
- The Sabarimala Karma Samiti, a group leading the protests against the entry of women into the temple, has drafted an open letter to all media houses requesting them to not depute women journalists to cover the protest.
- It argued that deploying women reporters, even if it is to do their jobs, would only “aggravate” the situation.
- “The whole issue is about the adamant stand of the State Government in forcibly bringing in young women aged between 10 and 50 years which is against the age-old traditions and customs of the Sabarimala Temple. Even the entry of women journalists from media belonging to this age group as part of their job is also likely to aggravate the situation. Therefore, we humbly request you to take a sympathetic approach to the feelings and aspirations of crores of devotees and kindly refrain from deputing women journalists of the above-mentioned age group to Sabarimala,” the letter read.
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Female devotees and journalists approaching the hill shrine were attacked by right-wing activists on October 17, when its gates were opened for the first time after the Supreme Court discarded an age-old ban on women of menstrual age entering its premises.
