Hindu organisations call for ‘Hartal’ in Kerala

Two prominent Hindu organisations Hindu Aikya Vedi and Sabarimala Karma Samithi have called for ‘Hartal’ in the state of Kerala today, to protest against the arrest of Hindu Aikya Vedi president Sasikala, who was taken into the police custody last night denying her right to worship in the famous hill temple of South India Sabarimala.

These organisations are the prominent Hindu organisations that are in the forefront of the ongoing protest against the recent Supreme Court verdict that removed the restriction imposed by the age-old tradition of Sabarimala for the entry of women aged between ten and fifty in the temple.

Apart from Ms Sasikala, several other rightist leaders have been arrested from the premises of the temple.

The police action has been justified citing the allegations of police inaction the force faced last time the temple opened for the pilgrims.

From these developments, it remains clear that the police force has been directed to stay vigilant and to tolerate no activities targeted to derail the peaceful atmosphere of the temple.

Meanwhile, the government and the police force have already faced serious criticism for their attitude towards the devotees. There are allegations that the government has failed to ensure adequate facilities for the devotees in the temple and the police force has imposed unfriendly restrictions in and around the temple making it difficult for the devotees to complete their pilgrimage to the hill temple satisfactorily.

Anyway, the today’s Hartal has the support of the BJP. So far, no serious violence has been reported. Only the road transport facilities have been affected largely by the Hartal.

Who is at war against the devotees of Lord Ayyappan? And, why?

Vignesh. S. G

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