Sabarimala Hartal: After Government Sneaks Two Women In Temple, Protest Marches Held Across Kerala; CM Blames RSS

Tension brews in Kerala as the hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti(SKS) progresses. The hartal was called against the stealth-entry of two women in Sabarimala sanctum, breaking the tradition of the temple, on Tuesday (1 January) .

Two women, identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga, reportedly in their forties entered the temple sanctum on Tuesday around 3.45 am. Their visit has been caught in a video gone viral over social media. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also confirmed their entry and stated that they were provided ample police protection.

The SKS has alleged that the Kerala CM has betrayed the devotees of Ayyappa.

The New Indian Express has reported protest march being held across various parts of the state. Protesters vandalised KSRTC buses at Vadakara in Kozhikode.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a press meet that so far, seven police vehicles, 79 KSRTC buses were destroyed while 39 police personnel were attacked.

The BJP has organised protest marches in Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. Meanwhile, three BJP workers were reportedly stabbed while they were enforcing shut down in Thrissur.

Reports state that a youth Congress activist has been admitted to Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital after he was hit by the pilot vehicle of Chief Minister's convoy.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the Sangh parivar for creating law and order issues in the state,"It is the government's responsibility to give protection to women. The government has fulfilled this constitutional responsibility. Sangh Parivar is trying to make Sabarimala into a clash zone."

He targeted the Sabarimala thantri and said that "If Thantri does not want to follow Supreme Court order on women's entry into the shrine, he can choose to leave. It is for the Devaswom Board to decide on whether or not to close the temple."