Not scared for my life, this is a fight for equality: Trupti Desai ahead of Sabarimala visit

“I don’t understand the language or the places (in Kerala). So it is important for them (police) to provide security,” she added.

Also read | Trupti Desai, six others plan to enter Sabarimala on November 17

Desai, who spearheaded the popular movement to ensure entry to women at the Shani Shignapur temple in Maharashtra, said she hoped the Kerala government would ensure security for her and six other women as she plans to travel to the state on Friday ahead of temple’s reopening for the ‘mandala’ pooja festivities. Desai had announced her travel plans after the Supreme Court refused to stay the September 28 ruling by a five-judge constitution bench to lift restrictions on the entry of women of all ages at the shrine.

When asked if she was scared for her life, Desai replied, “No, because this is a fight for equality. I’m an activist, but I’m also a devotee of God. I led the movement at Shani Shignapur because I’m a devotee. If God doesn’t discriminate among devotees, who are we to?”

The activist’s arrival in Kerala is expected to mark feverish protests and clashes around the popular hill shrine with right-wing outfits prepared to stop her from offering prayers. Women, including journalists, have witnessed verbal abuses and heckling in the two times the temple has opened in the last one month. Although a dozen women in the previously restricted age group of 10-50 had attempted to climb the hill, none were successful. In spite of heavy deployment of security forces turning the temple into a virtual fortress, protesters ran amok, disallowing the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict.

On Thursday, the ruling LDF government held consultations with political parties and relevant stakeholders to chalk out a path of consensus ahead of the temple’s reopening. The government has indicated that it stood firmly with implementing the top court’s wishes. The government, it is learnt, has not responded to Desai’s request for police security.

Desai also clarified to IndianExpress.com that she was prepared to bear all expenses of her trip to Kerala, contrary to what was indicated in a purported letter she had written to the government authorities.

“We have already booked the flights for Friday. We have only requested the government to make a car available for us at the airport and the guest house at Kottayam or Pathanamthitta. We just want them to book the rooms for us and we will pay for everything,” she said.