A young woman who came to Pamba on Saturday with the aim of climbing the Sabarimala hills and offering prayers at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa had to return after the police persuaded her to go back citing security reasons.
S.P. Manju, a native of Chathannoor in Kollam and a state leader of the Kerala Dalit Federation, however, vowed to return on Sunday or Monday to visit the temple in the wake of the Supreme Court order that lifted the ban on the entry of women of 10-50 age group to the hill shrine. She said she was returning as there weren't adequate facilities in Pamba.
Earlier, the police had said that they would not allow Manju to enter the temple on Saturday, citing heavy rain and security reasons.
Though the cops requested her to have a rethink on her decision to climb the hill amid the tense situation on the temple premises, she refused to oblige. She stood firm that she is a believer and wanted to enter the temple Saturday itself.
Agitating devotees launched a Namajapa protest at Pamba against Manju's decision to enter the temple.
Tension prevailed at Sabarimala for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday after rumours that young women could be attempting to climb the hills to offer prayers, prompting authorities to step up security in the area.
The police, meanwhile, arrested 10 BJP leaders, including A.N. Radhakrishnan, for violating Section 144 that has been imposed in Nilakkal, Pamba, Sannidhanam and Elavungal.
Protests against 52- year-old woman
Earlier on Saturday, devotees held a massive protest after a woman was spotted at Nadapanthal.
Devotees swarmed the woman from Tamil Nadu even as she reiterated that she was 52, above the traditionally banned age group of 10 to 50.
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As Latha from Tiruchirappalli was trekking up hill on Saturday, several people asked her age. Alarmed, Latha approached the police who accompanied her to the temple. As news spread that a woman was coming with police protection, a large number of devotees assembled at Nadapanthal. The woman, who had come with her husband and son, had to show her ID card to prove her age. She was then allowed to climb the Pathinettam Padi, the final 18 steps leading to the temple.
Collector dismisses rumours
Pathanamthitta district collector P.B. Nooh said there was no tension at Sannidhanam.
"A woman came for darshan. Some news channels followed her... Then a crowd gathered... That was the only issue," he said.
The collector also dismissed as 'rumours' reports that some young women were planning to trek the hills to reach the shrine. "There were some rumours (spread) through social media. We verified them...There is no confirmed report (on young women visiting the shrine) so far," Nooh said.
It is the responsibility of the administration to facilitate the darshan of Lord Ayyappa for all devotees, the collector asserted.
Minister slams tantri
Minister G. Sudhakaran slammed tantri Kandaru Rajeevaru for stating that he would close the temple if young women were to enter Sannidhanam. The minister further said it was unfortunate that the women who had turned up for darshan had to return. He also said only those who are courageous need attempt the journey to Sabarimala.
