Sabarimala Women’s Entry: Section 144 to Be Imposed From Midnight at 4 Places in Kerala As Temple Doors Open for All

Kochi, October 17: Amid violence by anguished protesters in Kerala, Section 144 will be imposed at four places in Kerala from Wednesday midnight. The four places where Section 144, that prohibits assembly of more than 4 people in an area, will be imposed include Nillakkal, Pamba, Sannidhanam and Elavumkal. According to 141-149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the maximum punishment for engaging in rioting is rigorous imprisonment for 3 years and/or fine. The temple opened its doors for all women devotees at 5 PM on Wednesday. The devotees can offer prayers at the Sabarimala shrine till 10.30 pm today while the portals will remain open till October 22.

Meanwhile, EP Jayarajan, Kerala minister accused the RSS and BJP for the violent attack on devotees. "10 KSRTC buses were damaged. Devotees from other states were beaten up & sent back. RSS-BJP is behind all of this", he said. He further added saying that RSS workers hid in forests and attacked the Ayappa devotees in which 10 media personnel, 5 devotees and 15 policemen were attacked.

10 KSRTC buses were damaged. Devotees from other states were beaten up & sent back. RSS-BJP is behind all of this. Supreme Court rule applies to all, the govt is just following & implementing it: EP Jayarajan, Kerala minister on incidents of violence today. #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/XTMAYJVQIm

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Ahead of the opening of the Lord Ayyappa Temple on Wednesday, tension loomed large at Nilackal - the main gateway to Sabarimala on Tuesday as devotees stopped vehicles and prevented women of the "banned" age group from trekking to the holy hill.

Protesters blocked roads and made it difficult for devotees to reach the temple. The protests turned violent, with several protesters clashing with the police despite heavy police security. Reports inform that women journalists were beaten and their vehicles were vandalised by protesters. Meanwhile, Hindu outfits in Kerala have announced a 24-hour ‘hartal’ on Thursday. Why Sabarimala Didn’t Allow Women into The Shrine in Kerala; All About The History of The Ayyappan Temple.