Sabarimala: This is unfair, says Manithi team after ordeal in Kerala

Women narrate their woes en route to Sabarimala shrine

No entry: A protester blocking the path leading to the Sabarimala trekking path to check entry of the Manithi activists to the shrine.

After a 12-hour ordeal at Pampa, an 11-member women team from Manithi — a progressive women’s organisation — started its return, as protesters stopped them from going to the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala.

Earlier this month, the Chennai-based organisation had announced that they would be making a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. They were also approached by other women who evinced interest in joining them. Finally, the group of 11 women proceeded to Sabarimala on December 22.

“We reached Pampa at 3 a.m. and there weren’t many people at that time. We had a bath and sought the

Irumudi , but the staff denied it, saying he would not hand it over to us; subsequently, we had a heated argument with him and took the

Irumudi ourselves and left,” said U. Thilagavathi, a 25-year-old member of the organisation.

By this time, 30-40 people had begun a protest. The police could have controlled them and taken us to the shrine, but they did not, Ms. Thilagavathi told

The Hindu over phone.

As time passed, the protesters swelled and the police found it very difficult to control them. When the policemen forcibly removed a few protesters, they were agitated and came marching towards the women. “We sat there for nearly 12 hours without eating,” she said.

They finally left Pampa at around 3 p.m. and headed towards Madurai. “This is disappointing for us,” she said. She also alleged that on their journey back, unidentified persons pelted stones at the vehicle they were travelling in. Mary Martina, a 29-year-old member of Manithi, said they had written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office and even got a confirmation that they would be given police protection during the visit.

“I couldn’t go this time owing to some personal reasons, but this whole patriarchal system should change. This is causing most of the problems. A mother gives everything she can to raise her children, but men only end up placing restrictions on women on most things. This is unfair. Why aren’t they progressive?” Ms. Martina asked.

(With inputs from S. Poorvaja)