Kozhikode: Women's group Manithi that tried in vain to visit the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple is not ready to withdraw after one unsuccessful attempt, but waiting for the protests to subside. Manithi, an NGO based in Chennai, was formed in the backdrop of the brutal rape and murder of law student Jisha at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam.
On December 23, 11 members from the group tried to visit the temple. This was after repeated communication with the chief minister's office. However, they could not make it to the temple and were chased away by the violent crowd. This failed attempt is not going to distract them from making attempts in future, but they do not want to further aggravate the situation, said Selvi, one of the coordinators of Manithi.
“The situation in Kerala (over this issue) is bad now, so we do not want to provoke them (those who have been protesting the entry of women in the child-bearing group despite the Supreme Court order). Moreover, we are going to ask for an appointment with the Kerala CM (Pinarayi Vijayan). On January 8 or 9, we are planning to write to the chief minister regarding our wish to visit the temple. After the meeting only, we will decide on the next visit,” said Selvi, a lawyer.
The group had first written to the chief minister's office on November 21 expressing its wish to visit the temple with 15 members. It also sought guidance and the best dates to travel. The deputy secretary (chief minster's computer cell) on December 12 acknowledged the email, but the group could not meet the chief minister. Even after the failed attempt to enter the hill shrine, the women could not meet the chief minister in Thiruvananthapuram as he was away.
Adivasi Vanitha Prasthanam president Ammini K from Wayanad, who also travelled along with the group on December 23, said they were stopped by the police citing security issues. “We decided to go together after attending the Janadhipathya Avakasa Samrakshana Convention in Kottayam on December 14. After that a Whatsapp group, Sabarimalai, was formed with women who were willing to go to the temple. Around 25 women were in that group and all communications were made through that group. Meanwhile, Manithi communicated with office of the chief minister.
“I did not retract from my plan to visit Sabarimala temple, but the problem is that we can not publicise the date of visit since it is dangerous. Even after the failed attempt, I faced several threats, and my sister's house at Ambalavayal was attacked. There are talks that the chief minister facilitated the women's entry to Sabarimala. They are baseless and every woman who expressed wish to visit the shrine is planning on her own and not out of any compulsion,” Ammini said.
Makaravilakku is on January 14 and police expect that more women would visit the temple in the coming days.
