Clashes over women at Indian temple
Print Edition
Clashes erupted in India yesterday as traditionalists tried to stop women visiting one of Hinduism鈥檚 most sacred temples, with police waving batons charging stone-throwing protestors.
Devotees opposed to allowing women into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in the southern state of Kerala earlier surrounded and intimidated journalists.
Two female journalists were reportedly injured. Even before the police charge, several people had blood streaming down their faces, suggesting further clashes had taken place.
Last month India鈥檚 Supreme Court overturned a ban on all females of menstruating age 鈥 judged between 10 and 50 鈥 entering and praying at the hilltop temple.
This enraged traditionalists, including supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi鈥檚 Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, with thousands protesting in the days before the scheduled opening yesterday afternoon.
Kerala鈥檚 state government said it would enforce the court ruling and deployed 500 extra police to ensure free access to the remote complex, which is reached by an uphill trek that takes several hours.
At Nilackal, a base camp below the temple, police cleared protestors early yesterday morning and arrested seven people who were stopping vehicles.
鈥淎nyone who wants to go to the temple will be able to do so without hindrance,鈥 said police chief Manoj Abraham.
鈥淪tern action will be taken against anyone who prevents devotees from going to Sabarimala,鈥 Kerala鈥檚 Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday.
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