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Sabarimala continues to be held up by the devoutes of the day. Protests have been reported from many parts of the state. (Follow live updates here)
Two women, including a journalist, were invited to the Sabarimala temple, and even the rest of the time, they were forced to stay away from the church. Women are allowed to offer prayers in line with a Supreme Court order.
On Thursday, two other women had been successful – NYT reporter Suhasini Raj and a woman from Andhra Pradesh named Madhavi.
Temple affairs minister Kadakampally Surendran also said that he will not be forcibly evicted and told the police to warn a showdown.
"Police will not make any issue in Sabarimala and we do not want a confrontation with you devotees. We are only following the law. Sreejith telling devotees, "ANI quoted inspector general of police.
Police have landed in a while after activist Rehana Fathima refused to budge. She insisted that she undertook to 41-day fast and wanted to enter the Sabarimala after the Supreme Court verdict of September 28.
Surendran pulled up the police for allowing Fathima to head for the temple.
"Police should have checked antecedents of women before escorting them," Surendran said.
Pink tension sharply in the morning with the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, who are the custodians of the temple Sabarimala, asking the Tantri (priest) to protect the temple. Protest squatted on the path leading to the hilltop temple.
There is speculation that the Tantri will leave the temple dedicated to Lord Ayappa. On Thursday, Rajeevaru Kkandarau appealed to women not to come. He said temple customs would have to be overhauled.
The opposition congress said the government was playing with fire. "It is committed to protect interest of devotees," said opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.
But on the ground, the police have maintained the utmost restraint against the devotees who insisted that they should not be allowed into the temple.
Earlier in the morning Kavitha Jakkal of Hyderabad based Mojo TV and Rehana Fatima, started the journey at 6.50 am amidst heavy rain under heavy protection from Pambha, the base of the hilltop temple, police said.
Thrifty thievery with the two women with IGP Sreejith.
"The highest court has given the green signal. My trip is to uphold women's rights "she said. On September 28, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Sabarimala temple was unconstitutional and allowed women of all age groups to enter the shrine.
Police sources said 150 cops trekked with the two women along the 5 km road.
There were no protests early morning by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Lord Ayyappa temple.
But around 8 am, protesters who began to assemble near the temple and lay down their bodies. A large number of devotees assembled at the base of the 18 holy steps that are considered sacrosanct as far as Sabarimala pilgrimage is concerned.
Slogan shouting protesters have also asked journalists to get out of the site. Police have advised to move only in groups.
First Published: Oct 19, 2018 08:53 IST
