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Over 1400 detained in Kerala as police cracks down on Sabarimala protesters, BJP warns of mass stir
The temple which opened for monthly pooja on October 18 - the first time after the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to worship at the temple - had witnessed large-scale violence and at least 12 women who came to worship at the shrine were prevented by angry protesters.
The Sabarimala issue continued to be on the boil with the Kerala police Thursday detaining over 1400 people in a crackdown on those allegedly involved in the violent protests against entry of women of all ages into the hilltop temple even as the BJP warned of a mass stir across southern states against the attack on “believers”.
“In a major swoop, we detained more 1407 people across the state and registered 258 cases in connection with the violence. We are checking their role with the help of video footage,” said a senior police officer who did not want to be identified.
The temple which opened for monthly pooja on October 18 - the first time after the Supreme Court September 28 verdict allowing women of all ages to worship at the temple - had witnessed large-scale violence and at least 12 women who came to worship at the shrine were prevented by angry protesters. Police carried out a baton-charge in base camps, Pambha and Nilakkal, when the agitation took a violent turn.
Condemning the mass arrest of “believers” which it said was “reminiscent of the Emergency days”, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it was a move aimed at destroying the second largest seasonal pilgrimage centre in the world and it would approach the court.
Read: Four women move Kerala HC seeking protection to enter Sabarimala temple
The party, which is leading the stir against the entry of women, also said it will organise protest marches throughout the state on Friday to condemn the mass arrests. It is also planning to extend the stir to neighbouring Karantaka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh from where at least 60% of the pilgrims come.
“A government headed by non-believers is out to destroy the sanctity of the temple where more than four crore pilgrims throng during the season. We won’t sit idle. We care planning a massive movement to save the temple,” state president PS Sreedharan Pillai said. The party is expected to announce the details on Saturday when its national president Amit Shah comes to the state on a one-day visit.
Arriving in Kannur in north Kerala, Shah will also visit the house in Pinarayi village of two RSS activists, a father and son, who were allegedly killed by Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers.
After the recent violence during the pilgrimage season, the issue has taken a political colour with the ruling Left Democratic Front on one side and the Congress and the BJP on the other. Both blamed the state government for its handling of the situation that had resulted in violence. But after initial outbursts, the Congress has mellowed a bit but the BJP has hardened its position, eyeing a split in majority community votes, say political analysts.
Party leaders admit that they have got an “Ayodhya-like issue” and they will use it to reap rich political dividends. There are reports the party’s central leadership have asked the state unit to keep the issue alive and ideological mentor RSS has started a massive drive to mobilise the majority community. With Shah’s visit, the party is planning to take the agitation to the next level.
However the state government said there was a big conspiracy to turn the pilgrim spot into a battlefield. “We have handled the situation effectively and averted bloodshed. The Sangh Parivar wanted to fan trouble and exploit the situation. But the secular government won’t allow their game plan,” said Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran.
The ruling front has also started a statewide campaign to inform the people about “real facts on Sabarimala.”
Surendran said the conspiracy of protesters was made public by Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Raul Easwar who alleged that the faithful had plans to make the shrine “impure” by spilling blood on its premises, forcing the closure for purification rites if women were allowed to enter. However Easwar later said he was misquoted by the media.
