Sabarimala Temple row Highlights: KSRTC bus services to Kerala have been resumed

Widespread violence was reported across Kerala as a shutdown began on Thursday, day after two women under the age of 50 managed to enter the Sabarimala temple.The BJP had called for a two-day protest against the women’s entry in the Sabarimala temple under police protection. On Wednesday, angry protestors blocked roads in many parts of the state. Police caned protestors in Kasargode, Palakkad, Kollam and many other places. A group of women jumped a barricade and came close to the CM’s office in the state capital, but were overpowered. Many government buses and vehicles were pelted with stones.Here are the highlights:

9:39 pm IST

Manifestation of Kerala Women’s Wall relevant for whole country: CPI(M)

Kerala women’s wall protest is relevant for the whole country, said CPI(M) on Thursday stressing that it was within 12 hours of the human chain being formed that two women below the age of 50 entered the Sabarimala temple and prayed at the inner sanctum.

9:11 pm IST

SC to hear contempt plea against Sabarimala tantri for closing temple for purification

The Supreme Court will hear on January 22 a contempt plea against the Sabarimala temple tantri for shutting the sanctum for purification after two women belonging to the previously prohibited age group entered the temple on January 2.

8:28 pm IST

BJP MP writes to Rajnath Singh seeking probe into entry of women in Sabarimala temple

BJP MP V. Muraleedharan writes to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh seeking probe by national security agencies into the entry of two women in the Sabarimala Temple, reports news agency ANI.

8:01 pm IST

Journalists and camera persons have faced the ire of frenzied protesters

Journalists and camera persons have faced the ire of frenzied protesters of the saffron outfits across Kerala while trying to cover the violence spread by them.

7:47 pm IST

Press meets were boycotted by media in protest

The press meets called by BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai and Samithi leader K P Sasikala were boycotted by the media this afternoon in protest against the widespread attacks faced by them since Wednesday afternoon.

7:42 pm IST

Media in Kerala boycott BJP for attacks on scribes

With media personnel being attacked at various districts during the 12 hour hartal by saffron outfits against entry of two women in their 40s into Sabarimala temple,the Kerala Union of Working Journalists Thursday decided to boycott BJP and Sabarimala Karma Samithi, reports PTI.

7:37 pm IST

Over 20 offices of ruling CPI(M) and other Left parties were attacked during protests

Over 20 offices of the ruling CPI(M) and other Left parties were attacked during the protests.

7:16 pm IST

Kerala chief minister lashes out at BJP, RSS for violence during hartal

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday lashed out at BJP and RSS, accusing them of unleashing violence during the hartal over the Sabarimala women’s entry issue, saying it was a ‘conspiracy for political gains’ and would be dealt with strongly.

6:56 pm IST

Sabarimala panel says special police protection to women would affect rights of pilgrims

A three-member panel appointed by the Kerala High Court to oversee the ongoing Sabarimala pilgrimage season has said granting special police protection to women in menstrual age to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple would adversely affect the rights and safety of other devotees.

6:45 pm IST

KSRTC bus services to Kerala have been resumed

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services to Kerala have been resumed.

6:44 pm IST

Kerala governor seeks urgent law and order report from CM

Kerala governor: Sought from Chief Minister an urgent law and order report on incidents of violence and destruction of private and public property in Kerala following entry of two young women in Sabarimala temple. I appeal to all sections of people to maintain calm and peace.

6:38 pm IST

Cases would be registered against those involved in alleged hate campaign on social media

Cases would also be registered against those involved in alleged hate campaign on social media, the police added.

6:32 pm IST

Mobile phones of suspected persons would be confiscated : Police

Mobile phones of suspected persons would be confiscated and sent for digital examination and raids would be carried out at their homes, to unearth arms, if any, the police said in a release.

6:23 pm IST

Kerala governor Palanisamy Sathasivam seeks report on mounting violence in the state

Kerala governor Palanisamy Sathasivam seeks a report on mounting violence in the state.

6:17 pm IST

A photo album of the perpetrators of violence would also be prepared

A photo album of the perpetrators of violence would also be prepared, the release said, adding that special teams would be set up to arrest those agitators involved in violence.

6:15 pm IST

The special branch would prepare the list of those indulging in violence

The special branch would prepare the list of those indulging in violence and hand it over to the district police chiefs for further action, the police said in a release, reports PTI.

6:13 pm IST

Police launch ‘Operation Broken Window’ to take action against those indulging in violent protests

As the state continued to witness massive violence due to the hartal called by Hindu outfits, the police launched a special drive, ‘Operation Broken Window’ to take action against those indulging in violent protests.

6:04 pm IST

Supreme Court declines urgent hearing on contempt plea against authorities

The Supreme Court Thursday refused urgent hearing of a contempt petition moved by two women against Chief Priest of Sabarimala temple and its authorities for closing the shrine after two females of menstruating age group entered it, breaking a centuries-old tradition.

6:00 pm IST

266 arrested, 344 in precautionary detention

266 persons arrested and 334 in precautionary detention in connection with the attacks during hartal called by various organisations over the Sabarimala Temple women entry, reports news agency ANI.

5:46 pm IST

Kerala CM’s decision to allow women into temple had undermined sentiments of Ayyappa devotees: UDF convenor

UDF Convenor Benny Behanan said Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s decision to allow women of menstruating age into the temple had “undermined the sentiments” of the Ayyappa devotees.

5:40 pm IST

Hanuman Sena activists urge Union Home Ministryto take note of the incident

Ten Hanuman Sena activists have urged the Union Home Ministry to take note of the incident, alleging that it had “hurt the sentiments of Hindus” and sought necessary action against the Kerala government.

5:30 pm IST

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation suspended 25 bus services

In view of the one-day hartal in Kerala over the issue, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation suspended services to that state from here. About 25 bus services were cancelled, police said.

5:25 pm IST

Law & order has collapsed in Kerala: UDF

The Congress-led UDF alleged that the law and order had collapsed in Kerala following the violence during a shutdown called by saffron outfits on Thursday to protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple.

5:13 pm IST

Youth Congress members protest against two women’s entry into Sabarimala Temple, detained by police

Youth Congress members protesting outside IG office over two women entering the Sabarimala Temple, detained by police in Kochi, reports news agency ANI.

5:11 pm IST

15 members of BJP lawyers’ wing in Coimbatore burnt a portrait of Kerala CM

Fifteen members of the Bharatiya Janata Party lawyers’ wing in Coimbatore burnt a portrait of Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. They raised slogans against him for failing to maintain the shrine’s “sanctity”.

5:08 pm IST

Hindu Makkal Katchi activists were prevented from staging protest at in Coimbatore

The Hindu Makkal Katchi activists were prevented from staging the protest at a railway station in Coimbatore, the police said.

5:03 pm IST

60 protesters held in Tamil Nadu over women’s entry into Sabarimala

Sixty workers of a Tamil Nadu-based fringe Hindu outfit were arrested in Coimbatore for trying to stage a ‘rail-roko’ on Thursday in protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age group into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, police said.

4:32 pm IST

AIDWA objects to purification ritual after women’s entry into Sabarimala temple

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has expressed strong objection to the purification rituals carried out by the priests after two women of menstruating age visited the Sabarimala temple, calling it “demeaning” as it projects women as “impure” and “unclean”, reports PTI.

3:40 pm IST

AIDWA objects to ‘purification’ ritual

The All India Democratic Women’s Association has expressed strong objection to the purification rituals carried out by the priests after two women of menstruating age visited the Sabarimala temple, calling it “demeaning” as it projects women as “impure” and “unclean”.

3:30 pm IST

Over 100 media personnel attacked

Around 100 media personnel, including women, have been attacked in Kerala in the last two days since protests erupted after two women prayed at the Sabarimala temple, a journalist leader said on Thursday, blaming the Sangh Parivar activists for the mayhem.

2:20 pm IST

Stone pelting during hartal

Widespread stone pelting, blocking of vehicles and incidents of violence and vandalism Thursday marked the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Hindu outfits in Kerala against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, police said.

The 12-hour long hartal, called by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups, and the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), hit normal life in the initial hours.

1:50 pm IST

4 youth Congress workers injured

Four Congress workers were hit and injured by the pilot vehicle of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan when he was returning home from office for lunch on Thursday, the Congress said.

Congress legislator M. Vincent said that the four party workers got injured in two different incidents.

1:31 pm IST

Bring ordinance to protect devotees: RSS leader

RSS leader PEB Menon wants the Centre to bring an ordinance to protect believers in Sabarimala. “ Devotees have lost faith in state government. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan adamant posture has led to sorry state” he said.

1:30 pm IST

They didn’t land in chopper: Vijayan

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday defended the act of two women who entered Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, saying they did not arrive in a helicopter to have ‘darshan’.

“These two women came just like any other pilgrim and went up the way that all pilgrims go to the temple. They never came on a helicopter to have darshan,” Vijayan told the media here.

He said other pilgrims made the process of ‘darshan’ smooth when the two women pilgrims prayed at the temple.

1:05 pm IST

Cameraperson attacked

Asianet cameraperson Biju was attacked by BJP workers during protest in Trivandrum over Sabarimala Temple row.

12:55 pm IST

4 BJP workers stabbed

Four BJP workers were stabbed in Vadanappally in Kerala’s Thrissur while enforcing shutdown.

12:52 pm IST

BJP general secretary addresses party workers

BJP general secretary Shobha Surendran addressed party workers.

12:50 pm IST

Situation tense

At many places in the Kerala the situation is getting out of control. Angry protesters are not paying any heed to their leaders. The situation has become grave in Palakkad, Kozhikode and Pandalam.

12:42 pm IST

CM respondible for violence: UDF convenor

“The chief minister is responsible for on going violence”, said Congress led-UDF convenor Benny Behnan.

12:35 pm IST

Baton-charged in Pandalam, Kozhikode, Kasargode and Ottapalam

Police baton-charged in Pandalam, Kozhikode, Kasargode and Ottapalam

12:25 pm IST

Karma Samiti worker died of heart attack: CM

“Karma Samiti worker who was injured yesterday in clash in Pandalam succumbed to his injuries. There was a clash in Pandalam last evening.Chandran Unnithan was injured and was taken to hospital, he later died in the hospital due to heart attack,” said the chief minister.

12:27 pm IST

38 cops among 100 injured in today’s violence: CM

“More than 100 persons were injured in today’s violence. Many party offices and houses attacked throughout the state. Among the injured are 38 cops,” said the chief minister.

12:25 pm IST

Kanakadurga, Bindhu sought security to visit shrine: CM

“Kanakadurga and Bindhu, who entered Sabarimala temple, were given protection after they sought security to visit shrine, said Kerala chief minister. 

11:20 pm IST

Priest not in position to continue his post: CM

“The tantri acted against the top court of the country. He is not in a position to continue in his post,” the chief minister said.

12:15 pm IST

Shutting temple for ‘purification’, a regressive step: CM

The chief minister criticised Tantri Rajeevaru Kandarau. “The priest’s decision to shut temple to do purification rites was regressive step,” he said.

12:05 pm IST

‘They are activists, they are Maoists’: Congress MP

“We’re observing ‘black day’ in Kerala today. State government is challenging the sentiments of devotees of Sabarimala. With the sponsor of state government, these two young women entered the temple. They are activists, they are Maoists,” said Congress MP K Suresh, according to new agency ANI.

Congress MP K Suresh ( ANI Photo/Twitter )

12:01 pm IST

Sabarimala Karma Samiti, BJP workers hold protest march

Sabarimala Karma Samiti and BJP workers held a protest march in Pandalam.

11:50 am IST

It’s like calling hartal against SC order: CM

Conducting hartal in name of women’s entry into Sabarimala temple is like calling hartal against SC order, says CM Pinarayan Vijayan.

11:45 am IST

Contempt plea moved by lawyers will be heard along with review pleas: SC

The Supreme Court said contempt plea moved by lawyers’ group against Sabarimala authorities will be heard along with review pleas already pending before it.

11:40 am IST

Kerala govt hotel attacked in Chennai, police suspect Sabarimala backlash

A hotel run by the Kerala government in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai was attacked by unidentified people late on Wednesday night, in what police said could be a backlash by angry devotees against the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple.

11:35 am IST

Widespread violence in state: CM

“7 police vehicles, 79 KSRTC buses have been destroyed and 39 police personnel have been attacked so far. Most of the persons attacked were women. Women media persons were also attacked,” said the chief minister, according to news agency ANI.

11:20 am IST

Govt taking measures to ‘disturb’ temple rituals: PGS Varma of Pandalam family

“Kerala government is taking measures everyday to send someone there [Sabarimala temple] to disturb its rituals. It’s festival time when per day 1-2 lakh people used to come to the temple but due to government’s action, it has reduced to 10-15,000,” said PGS Varma, member of royal Pandalam family, according to news agency ANI.

PGS Varma of Pandalam family. ( ANI Photo/Twitter )

11:17 am IST

Will deal with trouble makers sternly: CM

“The government will deal with trouble makers sternly,” said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. ( ANI Photo/Twitter )

11:15 am IST

Sangh parivar trying to sabotage SC verdict: CM

The Sangh parivar is trying to sabotage the Supreme Court verdict. Real Lord Ayyappa devotees are not against verdict, said the chief minister.

11:10 am IST

Fulfilled constitutional responsibility: CM

“It’s 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,” said chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan while addressing media.

11:02 am IST

NK Premachandran, KC Venugopal and Suresh Kodikunnil, PK Kunhalikutty move adjournment motion

NK Premachandran, KC Venugopal and Suresh Kodikunnil, PK Kunhalikutty move adjournment motion in Lok Sabha over women entering Sabarimala Temple.

11:00 am IST

SC declines urgent hearing on Sabarimala

SC refuses urgent hearing on contempt plea moved against Sabarimala temple authorities for closing shrine after two women entered it. It will be heard on scheduled date January 22 itself.

10:55 am IST

BJP holds protest march in Kochi

BJP is holding a protest march in Kochi against the entry of women in Sabarimala Temple.

10:40 am IST

TDB seeks explanation from priest who closed temple for ‘purification’

Travancore Devasom Board has sought explanation from tantri for closing the Sabarimala temple for ‘purification rites’ after two women below 50 years of age entered the temple yesterday.

10:35 am IST

Not devotees... Maoists: BJP leader

10:15 am IST

2 people detained

Two people have been detained by police in connection with yesterday’s violence and stone pelting incident in Pandalam.

10:10 am IST

Ambulances being used to help stranded passengers at Thiruvananthapuram Central

Ambulances being used to help stranded passengers at Thiruvananthapuram Central as bus services are affected in the area due to the hartal called by various organisations.

10:05 am IST

Will protest peacefully: state BJP president

“We will carry on with our agitation in a peaceful manner and abide by the law of the land,” said Kerala BJP president PS Sreedharan Pillai on protests over two women entering Sabarimala temple:

8:50 am IST

KSRTC stops bus service from Karnataka to Kerala

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has stopped its bus operations to Kerala for the day in view of the hartal called by various organisations, said the KSRTC PRO.

8:30 am IST

Security tightened

Security has been deployed in Pathanamthitta in the view of hartal called by various organisations over two women below 50 years of age entering Sabarimala Temple.

8:15 am IST

Will draw Centre’s attention: Kerala BJP president

Kerala BJP president PS Sreedharan Pillai said, “Stalinist administration in the state tramples believers.” He added the party will draw the attention of the union government. “A bunch of atheists stifling age old customs,” he said

8:05 am IST

United Democratic Front to observe ‘black day’

United Democratic Front will observe ‘black day’ in the state today as two women under 50 years of age entered the Sabarimala temple Wednesday. Here are visuals from Thiruvananthapuram

7:45 am IST

Many devotees call off pilgrimage

Many pilgrims bound for Sabarimala temple called off their pilgrimage saying that sanctity of the temple has been breached. Two big groups from Tamil Nadu returned this morning.

7:40 am IST

Strict action against those flouting laws: Kerala DGP

Kerala DGP Loknath Behera on Wednesday said strict action will be taken against those flouting rules of law and order during the bandh called for by some organisations over the entry of two women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple.

Furthermore, Behera directed all concerned authorities to give special attention to pilgrims so that they remain unaffected.

7:35 am IST

Relatives of one of the women who entered the temple moved to safety

In response to two women entering the shrine early Wednesday, protests broke out around Kerala, the state where the shrine, the Sabarimala Temple, is located. According to local news reports, the police moved relatives of one of the women who entered the temple into a safe house.

7:31 am IST

Cong led UDF to stage protest

Opposition Congress led UDF will stage protest today.

7:30 am IST

Bandh cripples normal life

Bandh has crippled normal life in the state. At many places even private vehicles are not plying.

7:19 am IST

Widespread violence reported across Kerala; 57 buses destroyed

7:10 am IST

Police arrest two in connection with activist’s death

A native of Pandalam Chandran Unnithan (55) died in stone pelting. BJP said CPM workers were behind the attack. Police arrested two in connection with the death.

7:00 am IST

Shutdown begins in Kerala; activist succumbs to injuries

Shutdown has begun in Kerala. Security has been beefed up after intelligence report of violence. An activist of Sabarimala Karma Samiti who was injured during stone pelting succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Thursday, said police.