‘Activists Not Devotees’: Kerala Minister Admits Lapse, Says Temple No Place For Activism

In the ongoing tussle between activism and devotion in Sabarimala, the Kerala government sent back two women before they could reach the main sanctum of the temple, The News Minute has reported.

The two women have been identified as 24-year-old named Kavitha Jakkala who is a Hyderabad based news anchor and another woman from Ernakulam, identified as Rehna Fathima.

The government describing them as activists made it clear that it was not proper to hurt the sentiment of devotees and insisted that they turn around.

These two women, accompanied by the Inspector General of Police S Sreejith and around 80 police personnel, had nearly made it to the temple sanctum. However, the Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran informed the Director General of Police that the temple was not a place for activism and that it would be irresponsible for the police team to take the women further.

Surendran was quoted as saying that, “Sabarimala is not a place for you to prove the power of your activism. I plead to all activists to not misuse the judgement like this. If true devotees come, the government is committed to take them to the sannidhanam. The government is not responsible for providing security to activists”.

As per a Hindustan Times report, the minister also admitted lapse over allowing activists (in the temple).

Earlier reports had indicated the high-handedness of the police while dealing with the protesters. Kerala government, led by the Communist Party of India, had also detained the family of the Chief Priest and the Pandalam Royals.

Also Read: Today Sabarimala Is India!