House of woman activist who tried to go to Sabarimala vandalised

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, October 19 

House of the woman activist, Rehana Fathima, who made an attempt to go to Sabarimala temple, which traditionally bars the entry of women of menstrual age, was allegedly vandalised  in Kochi.

Police also visited the house after it was vandalised.

“I don't know what happened to my children. My life is also in danger. But they (police) have said that they will provide protection. That is why I am going back,” said Rehana.

She said, “People, not the devotees, who want to disrupt peace didn't allow us to enter. I want to know what was the reason. Tell me, in which way one needs to be a devotee. You tell me that first and then I will tell you if I'm a devotee or not.”

On her way back, she also said, "Thank you for supporting us. We're feeling proud. You've seen what dangerous situation we faced. ”

Two women-- journalist Kavitha Jakkal and Rehana Fatima-- who were en route to the Sabarimala Temple had to return after the temple head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru threatened to shut down the temple if they attempted to force their way in.

As per reports, tempers cooled down after Jakkal and Fatima who had almost made it to the Lord Ayyappa shrine agreed to give up their journey.

Two days after the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala opened its doors for the first time for women in the 10-50 years age group as per the Supreme Court verdict pronounced on September 28, no woman of menstrual age have yet been able to visit the shrine because of continuous protests.

Earlier in the day, a number of devotees had gathered to block the entry of women trekking up to the hill shrine.

Places around the temple such as Pamba, Nilakkal, Sannidhanam and Elavungal have witnessed the majority of the violent protests since the doors of the shrine reopened on Wednesday. Protestors had allegedly vandalised a bus carrying journalists and other passengers at Laka near the Nilakkal base camp. The police were forced to lathi-charge the protestors as they resorted to stone pelting.

Elderly women were seen entering the temple on Wednesday evening, but women between 10 to 50 years of age refrained from visiting the shrine for the sake of their own safety.

Owing to the protests and violence, Section 144 (prohibiting assembly of more than four people) has been imposed in Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavungal.

The temple opened on Wednesday at 5 pm, and it will close on October 22.