Wall for equality
On Tuesday, thousands of women in Kerala formed a 620-km human chain from north to south, termed the women’s wall, in support of gender equality and access to the Sabarimala temple. Backed by the State government, they were protesting against the ban on women in the age group of 10-50 from visiting the temple. Last September, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court threw the temple open to women of all ages, which led to an outpouring of protests.
Women artistes painting on the 30-metre canvas set up by Kerala Lalithakala Academy on the Museum premises to drum up support for the renaissance values on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, two women in their 40s entered the temple for the first time since the verdict, sparking fresh clashes. “I had earlier made it clear that the government will provide protection if any woman comes forward to enter the temple,” said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Pictures show women on Kannur Road in Kozhikode, and artistes painting on a 30-metre canvas set up by the Kerala Lalithakala Academy to drum up support for gender parity.
