Eleven women devotees evicted from Sabarimala base camp amid protests

The women belonging to Chennai-based ‘Manithi’ outfit, had come to offer their prayers to Lord Ayappa, after Supreme court's verdict which open the temple doors to all, irrespective of age and gender, breaking the age-old-custom of temple which prohibits the entry of women who fall under menstruating age i.e. of 10-50 years.

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However, the women could not reached the temple shrine as the devotees began chanting hymns in protest after the news spread of women devotees trying to enter the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Ayyapa temple. A large number of devotees thronged Pamba, about five kilometres away from Sannidhanam (Sabarimalatemple complex).

The group of women with its coordinator Selvi also asked for police protection so that they could offer prayers amid strong protest. They also told that the protesters "snatched" their "irumudi" or offerings kit that devotees carry on their heads.

"The police failed us. They told us they can't provide us security and forcibly evicted us". They further said that Police intentionally "delayed" them in the morning so that the protesters can stop them from entering temple premises.

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However, the police has denied such accusations saying, "We didn't delay the women in the morning. We provided adequate security, we tried to take them forward. They decided to go because of the crowd," said a senior police officer.