Kerala Police want Section 144 imposed as Sabarimala Temple opens
With the Sabarimala Temple slated to open for five-day monthly pujas on Tuesday, certain fringe groups have reiterated their plans to block women of menstrual age from entering the temple. Given this threat, the Kerala Police have sought the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC - that prevents more than four people from assembling together - to prevent a showdown. Here's more.
Police suspect certain outfits might create unrest for political gains
Reportedly, the police have sought the imposition of Section 144 in the areas of Nilakkal, Pamba and Sannidhanam till the night of February 17 when the temple is slated to close. With the Supreme Court having reserved its verdict on review petitions challenging its earlier verdict allowing women of menstrual age to enter, the police suspect that certain fringe outfits might create unrest for political gains.
The ban on women's entry was lifted last year
On September 28, the Supreme Court lifted an 800-year-old ban that restricted women aged 10-50 years from entering the Sabarimala Temple. The verdict led to widespread and often violent protests from Ayyappa devotees across Kerala. However, the Kerala government enforced the verdict.
Protests have rocked Sabarimala since September last year
Given the events of the past few months, it's understood why the police are concerned. When the temple was opened for the first time on October 17 since the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, Hindu groups had clashed violently with the police. Protests continued over the months that followed, and it wasn't until January this year that women of menstrual age managed to enter the temple.
Two women created history on January 2
On January 2, 2019, two women - Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini - entered the Sabarimala Temple. Their historic entry made them the first women of menstrual age to have entered the Sabarimala Temple in over eight centuries.
Reportedly, many women plan to visit Sabarimala in this window
It has also been reported that many women of menstrual age who could not make it to the shrine during the 64-day annual pilgrimage season that ended January 20 are keen to make the trek to the shrine during this five-day window. Given these plans, police, understandably, suspect that the situation at the temple might turn volatile again.
