Sabarimala temple opens again today amid tight security

Last month, agitators disguised as pilgrims had stopped several young women from entering the Sabarimala temple despite heavy police security. The temple will close Tuesday at 10 pm after a two-day ritual known as chithira atta thirunal.

READ | Don’t send women reporters to cover Sabarimala, Hindu outfits tell media ahead of temple opening

Taking no chances, the state government has issued prohibitory orders in Sabarimala and the base towns of Pamba, Nilakkal, Erumeli and Elavunkal and around 2,000 police personnel, including commandos, have been deployed.

Two additional DGPs, two IGs and ten SPs have been assigned to the region to prevent untoward incidents.

While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asserted that the government was committed to implementing the SC order, Devaswom (temple affairs) Minister Kadakampally Surendran said no young woman had approached authorities so far seeking police protection to trek to the temple.

“We will not allow women activists to go to the temple. They have ulterior motives. Such persons will be sent back from the base camps,’’ he said.

Police personnel at Nilackal, a base camp on the way to the mountain shrine in Kerala. (File Photo)

Pathanamthitta district magistrate P B Nooh said security arrangements have been made to ensure protection for pilgrims and their smooth passage to the temple. Women police officers above the age of 50 have also been deployed at the temple, he said.

In the wake of the violent protests last month, police arrested at least 3,700 people in various cases, which according to the Sabarimala Action Committee, an umbrella organisation of various Hindu outfits, had not dampened their spirits.

“Thousands are now moving towards Sabarimala from across Kerala to prevent the entry of young women to the temple. The agitators include women above the age of 50. We have squads who are ready to sacrifice their lives if young women enter the shrine,’’ said a senior SAC leader.

Sources also said that the protesters will be dressed as pilgrims. “They will carry the irumudi kettu (travel pouch) of genuine pilgrims. Police cannot prevent a devotee carrying the travel pouch. This time, we are mobilising volunteers at the temple itself to prevent entry of young women,” a source said.

The Sabarimala Action Committee has also urged media houses not to depute young women journalists to report from Sabarimala. Last month, several women journalists were manhandled by the agitators.

Committee convener and VHP leader S J R Kumar said even the presence of young women journalists at the hill shrine would aggravate the situation.

After closing Tuesday, the temple will open again for the two-month-long annual festival, which is expected to attract around five crore devotees on November 17, four days after the SC is to hear a clutch of review petitions.