Sabarimala: Salagramam ashram attacked, days after supporting the SC verdict

Days after coming out in support of the Supreme Court verdict on entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala temple, Swami Sandeepananda Giri's Salagramam ashram at nearby Kundamonkadavu was attacked early on Saturday, October 27, the police said.

The attack took place at around 2 AM and two cars and a scooter were burnt, they said, adding the attackers also left a wreath at the ashram.

Swami Sandeepananda Giri had welcomed the apex court order permitting women in the 10-50 age group to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who visited the ashram, told reporters that stringent action would be taken against the accused, whoever they may be.

Their aim was not to destroy the ashram, but swamiji, he said.

Reacting to the attack, Sandeepananda Giri alleged that the entire responsibility for the incident was on BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai, Thazhamon Madom, the family of traditional head priests of Sabarimala temple and Pandalam Royal family, also associated with the shrine.

DGP Loknath Behera said strong action would be taken to bring the accused to book. "We will not tolerate such incidents in the state," he said.

The Supreme Court had on September 28, overturned a centuries-old practice that barred women of menstrual age (10-50 years) from entering the hill temple, where a celibate deity Lord Ayyappa is worshipped.

Protesters have been protesting the entry of women in the age group of 10-50, in defiance of the SC order, and ignoring the state government's efforts to ensure the entry of women into the shrine.

The state had witnessed massive protests from devotees at various places, including Sabarimala, Nilakkal and Pamba, against permitting women of all ages to enter the shrine, where the deity is 'Naishtika Brahmachari' (perennial celibate), when the temple was opened for monthly poojas from October 17-22.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a high-level meeting with senior police officials on Wednesday, October 24. Many were arrested after P Vijayan chaired the high-level meeting.

A total of 2,061 people across the state have been arrested since Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a high-level meeting with police officials and ordered the action that began on Thursday, October 25.

A total of 452 cases have been registered against 2,300 people for defying the September 28 order of the Supreme Court allowing women of all ages to visit the temple.

The police chief said the crackdown would continue.

"Cases have been registered as that's the way it should be done. We have also decided to set up a Special Committee to see that the upcoming festival season (starting on November 17 for two months) does not see a repeat of the situation in October," said Behra.

To ensure that the jails were not overcrowded, at least 1,500 people of those arrested have been let off on bail. The rest have been sent to various jails.

On October 29, P Vijayan will review with police officials the action taken against Sabarimala protesters.

At least 12 women in the 'barred' age group (10-50) had tried to trek the hills to offer prayers but had to retreat following widespread protests. said strong action would be taken to bring the accused to book.

However, BJP district leadership has denied any role in the attack and demanded an "unbiased" probe into the incident.