The Left Front government’s move to take two Left women activists to Sabarimala was foiled by more than one lakh devotees, a majority of them from outside the state, who were on pilgrimage to the shrine. The trek of the under-50 women had triggered volatile situation along the 6-km route to the temple.
In the wake of huge protest, the police who had come in riot gear had to beat a hasty retreat. The two women were taken to the base camp Pamba after one of them, Kanaka Durga, collapsed due to illness. They were taken back in an ambulance. However, one of the two women, Bindu, had said they will not turn back even if they are attacked. While Bindu is an advocate, Kanaka Durga is working in Supplyco. Both belong to Malappuram. Some people gathered outside her house in Kozhikode and shouted slogans, Malayalam channels reported.
The government, which is facing all-round criticism for handling of the Sabarimala issue, is trying its level best to take at least one young woman to Sabarimala to prove a point and regain the lost ground before the government-sponsored CPI(M) programme Women’s Wall.
On Sunday, a similar attempt by 11 activists of ultra-Left women outfit Manithi, were chased away by protesting devotees. The police who escorted the activists had also run for cover. The women were evicted from the base camp, 5 km from the temple, by the Kerala police following a huge face-off with protesters.
Meanwhile, another activist Ammini has approached police seeking protection to visit Sabarimala. Devotees suspect there is an attempt to disrupt the Sabarimala pilgrimage by the Left and anti-Hindu forces. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also echoed similar sentiments.
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