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560 woman register to enter flashpoint Indian temple
NEW DELHI, Nov 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A new standoff between Hindu
traditionalists and Indian police over a flashpoint shrine is looming next
week, with 560 women reportedly registering to visit the side when it reopens
on November 17.
India’s Supreme Court in September ruled that all females should be allowed
into the Sabarimala hilltop temple in the southern state of Kerala, and not
just those under 10 or over 50 as before.
But when the temple reopened in mid-October, a handful of women who wanted
to go were prevented by hardliners, who also threw stones at police and
assaulted journalists.
Police later detained around 2,000 people. The protesters’ anger reflected
an old but still prevalent view in some areas of India that connects
menstruation with impurity.
The temple opens again on November 17 for a Hindu festival period lasting
41 days, and some 300,000 people have registrated to visit — including some
560 woman, media reports said.
Police said that several thousand extra officers would be deployed and that
tighter restrictions will be in place in an attempt to avoid clashes.
“Now, private vehicles will only be able to get to Nilackal, the first base
camp, after getting prior passes (permission) from the local police,” Pramod
Kumar, Kerala police spokesman told AFP.
The people will have to board government buses from there to Pamba, the
next base camp around 20 kilometres (12 miles) away, before they start their
on-foot climb to the top of the hill.
The Hindu daily said that Kerala police are considering using a military
helicopter to take women to the hilltop site. In October women could not even
begin ascending because of the protests.
Before the re-opening, on Tuesday the Supreme Court is due to hear review
challenges against its earlier verdict. More than a dozen complaints have
been filed.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1721 hrs