Sabarimala: SKS plans fresh round of stir

Kottayam: A leadership summit of various Hindu outfits held here on Thursday decided to launch a fresh round of agitations against the entry of women to Sabarimala.

The Sabarimala Karma Samithi(SKS), which is helming the agitation, draws confidence from their successful initial round of strike.

The stiff resistance from the outfits made it impossible the state government’s attempt to implement SC order.

Reports say that protests will begin with prayer marches between November 1 and 4 in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. 

As the temple opens for the Chithira Attavishesham festival, there will be non-stop prayer meetings at urban areas beginning by 3 pm on November 5.

The prayer meeting will continue through night till temple closes the next day evening.

Between November 7 and 10, SKS volunteers will collect one crore signatures against the entry of women to the temple.

SJR Kumar, Convener, SKS, questioned the State police’s plan to clamp a 24-hour deadline for pilgrims stay at Sabarimala.

  “Neither the government, nor the Travancore Devaswom Board can dictate the terms on the pilgrims’ right to worship. A petition seeking to shoot down the move has already been moved in the High Court,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.

As well as offering legal assistance to protesters arrested by the police, SKS would expand protests to neighbouring states.