While all roads lead to Thrissur, Kerala's cultural capital, as the city witnesses the mother of all temple festivals on Wednesday, an activist in Kerala has sparked off a social media storm claiming that hundreds of women get molested in the crowd at the venue of Thrissur Pooram.
In a Facebook post, Hasna Shahitha narrates her ordeal on the festival day last year. A woman is helpless during the Pooram; amid all colourful views, she can expect an assault, says Hasna in her post.
“Men pass between the women with their hands spread wide, their genitalia in close proximity to a woman's behind,” reads her post. She says hundreds of women silently suffer such abuse in the crowd.
There are people who find jam-packed places an opportunity for sexual violation, Hasna further says.
Her post has already created a debate on Facebook, with scores of people sharing it.
Meanwhile, thousands of devotees thronged the famous Vadakkunathan temple to witness Thrissur Pooram, arguably the most colourful temple festival in the state.
Despite being a Hindu religious festival, Thrissur Pooram is famous for its secular nature, with people from different communities actively participating and playing a prominent role in each and every aspect of the festival.