Entry of women to Sabarimala

Many legends exist about the god Ayyappan and the creation of the temple.

One legend concerns Ayyappan, the celibate deity of Sabarimala Temple, and the evil demoness Mahishi whom he defeated in battle. Mahishi had been cursed to live the life of a demon until the child born to Shiva and Vishnu defeated her in a battle. Ayyappan, the abandoned son of Shiva and Mohini (an incarnation of Vishnu),{{Cite news |title=What you might want to know about Sabarimala |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/et-explains/what-you-might-want-to-know-about-sabarimala/articleshow/66273712.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=18 October 2018}}{{cite book |last1=Long |first1=Jeffery D. |title=Historical Dictionary of Hinduism |date=2011 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=9780810879607 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZkkFCwAAQBAJ |language=en}} could therefore set her free after defeating her. She transformed into a beautiful woman after her defeat. After the battle, the young woman proposed marriage to Ayyappan. However, he refused, explaining that he had been ordained to go to the forest, live the life of a brahmachari and answer the prayers of devotees.{{cite web |title=Here's why women are barred from Sabarimala; It is not because they are 'unclean' - Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/why-women-are-barred-from-sabarimala-its-not-because-they-are-unclean-2583694.html |website=firstpost.com |date=15 January 2016 |publisher=FirstPost |access-date=20 October 2018}} However, the young woman was persistent, so Ayyappan promised to marry her the day "kanni-swamis" , or new devotees, stopped visiting Sabarimala Temple. Sabarimala was visited by kanni-swamis every year, and she was not able to marry Ayyappan. The woman is worshipped as the goddess Maalikapurathamma at a neighbouring temple.{{cite web |title=Legend of Sabarimala: Love story that kept women from Lord Ayyappa |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sabarimala-legend-women-lord-ayyappa-1351674-2018-09-28 |website=India Today |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en}}

According to the Memoir of the Survey of the Travancore and Cochin States, women of reproductive age had been denied entry to the Sabarimala temple since at least the 19th century. Lieutenants Benjamin Swain Ward and Peter Eyre Conner, who completed the survey at the end of 1820, reported that, at the time, "Old women and young girls may approach the temple, but those who have attained the age of puberty and to a certain time in life are forbidden to approach, as all sexual intercourse in that vicinity is averse to this deity (Lord Ayyappa)."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/11/22/british-era-survey-report-says-sabarimala-ban-existed-200-years-ago.html|title=British era survey report says Sabarimala ban existed 200 years ago|website=The Week }}

Before 1991, when the Kerala High Court forbade the entry of women to Sabarimala, many women had visited the temple, although mostly for non-religious reasons.{{cite web|last1=P.M.|first1=Jitheesh|title=Appropriation of Ayyappa Cult: The History and Hinduisation of Sabarimala Temple|url=https://thewire.in/history/appropriation-of-ayyappa-cult-the-history-and-hinduisation-of-sabarimala-temple|access-date=22 October 2018|website=The Wire}} There are records of women pilgrims visiting the temple to conduct the first rice-feeding ceremony of their children (called Chorounu) at the temple premises.{{sfn|KHC1991|loc=paragraph 7}} On 13 May 1940, even the Maharani of Thiruvithamkoor visited the temple.{{sfn|KHC1991}}{{cite news |title=Kerala for allowing women of all ages into Sabarimala temple |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Kerala-for-allowing-women-of-all-ages-into-Sabarimala-temple/article15160720.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=26 October 2018 |language=en-IN |date=8 February 2008}} In 1986, when young actresses Jayashree, Sudha Chandran, Anu, Vadivukkarasi and Manorama danced near the deity at the pathinettam padi (18 steps) for the Tamil movie Nambinar Keduvathillai, a fine of Rs. 1000 was imposed on each of the actresses and the director. The Devaswom Board, which maintains the temple and premises, was also fined Rs. 7500, because it had given the director permission to film at Sabarimala.{{cite web |title=Sabarimala cinema shoot involving actresses forced rigid curbs on women |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2018/09/29/sabarimala-film0shoot-actresses-women-ban.html |website=OnManorama |access-date=20 October 2018}} Former Karnataka minister Jayamala has also claimed to have entered Sabarimala and touched the idol in 1986, when she was a young woman.{{cite web |title=Interview: Jayamala who entered Sabarimala in 1986, now advocates women rights |url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/interview-jayamala-who-entered-sabarimala-in-1986-now-advocates-women-rights-1984061.html |publisher=One India |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en|date=2016-01-15 }}{{cite web |title=Karnataka minister Jayamala hails Sabarimala verdict, calls it historic |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/sep/29/karnataka-minister-jayamala-hails-sabarimala-verdict-calls-it-historic-1878694.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=20 October 2018}}

In 1990, the Chorounu ceremony for the granddaughter of a former Devaswom commissioner was held at Sabarimala in the presence of female relatives.{{cite web |last1=Philip |first1=Shaju |title=Sabarimala temple: Women entry issue first came up in Kerala High Court 28 years ago |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-templewomen-entry-issue-first-came-up-in-kerala-high-court-28-years-ago-5378916/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=29 September 2018}} Following a court case in connection with this event, the high court of Kerala prohibited women and girls between ages 10 and 50 from entering Sabarimala. In 1995, the district collector Valsala Kumari, aged 42, visited the Sabarimala shrine (although she did not climb the pathinettam padi to the inner sanctum) under special permission. Her goal was to obtain first-hand information about the conditions at the temple in connection with her official duties. In doing so, she was the first woman recognised as legitimate by the temple's authorities.{{cite web |last1=M.G. |first1=Radhakrishnan |title=Ban on women of prohibited age group visiting Sabarimala shrine comes under scrutiny |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/religion/story/19950115-ban-on-women-of-prohibited-age-group-visiting-sabarimala-shrine-comes-under-scrutiny-806703-1995-01-15 |website=India Today |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en}} In the same year, the local press reported that two young women, possibly wives of VIPs, had entered the shrine despite police oversight. In January 2018, temple authorities made it mandatory for female devotees to provide proof of their age when visiting Sabarimala.{{cite web |title=Age proof now a must for women to offer worship in Sabarimala |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/age-proof-now-a-must-for-women-to-offer-worship-in-sabarimala/story-fF1dJyzuRb7sZITb9YtyXP.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en |date=4 January 2018}}

In 1990, S. Mahendran started a legal petition on the notion that young women were visiting Sabarimala. The verdict was announced in 1991, when Justices K. Paripoornan and K. Balanarayana Marar of the Kerala High Court banned women and girls between 10 and 50 years of age from Sabarimala. They stated that such a restriction was in accordance with tradition.{{sfn|KHC1991|loc=paragraph 44, (1)}} In addition, the High Court directed the Government of Kerala to use police force if necessary to prevent women from entering the temple.{{sfn|KHC1991|loc=paragraph 45}} The final decision of the court was as follows:{{sfn|KHC1991|loc=paragraph 44, (3)}}

{{blockquote|Such restriction (of women) imposed by the Devaswom Board is not violative of Articles 15, 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India. Such restriction is also not violative of the provisions of Hindu Place of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act, 1965, since there is no restriction between one section and another section or between one class and another class among the Hindus in the matter of entry to a temple, whereas the prohibition is only in respect of women of a particular age group and not women as a class.}}

{{Infobox court case

|name = Indian Young Lawyers Association vs The State Of Kerala

|court = Supreme Court of India

|image =

|imagesize =

|imagelink =

|imagealt =

|caption =

|full name = Indian Young Lawyers Association & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Ors.

|date decided = 28 September 2018

|citations = WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 373 OF 2006

|ECLI =

|transcripts =

|judges = Dipak Misra, A.N. Khanwilkar, Rohintan Nariman, Indu Malhotra, D.Y. Chandrachud Reddy

|number of judges = 5

|decision by =

|Majority = Deepak Mishra, A.N. Khanwilkar, Rohintan Nariman, D.Y. Chandrachud

|dissenting = Indu Malhotra

|concur/dissent =

|prior actions =

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|italic title = no

}}

In 2006, six female members of the Indian Young Lawyers' Association petitioned the Supreme Court of India, asking them to lift the ban on women of reproductive age.{{sfn|SC2018}} They argued that the practice was a violation of their constitutional rights. They also questioned the validity of provisions in the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules Act of 1965.{{sfn|Hindu2006}}

On 28 September 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that women of all ages could enter the temple of Sabarimala.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/keralas-sabarimala-temple-must-allow-women-of-all-ages-says-supreme-court-ending-restriction-1923556|title=Women Of All Ages Can Enter Sabarimala Temple, Says Top Court, Ending Ban|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-09-28}} The court stated:

{{blockquote|We have no hesitation in saying that such an exclusionary practice violates the right of [a woman] to visit and enter a temple, to freely practise Hindu religion and to exhibit her devotion towards Lord Ayyappa. The denial of this right to women significantly denudes them of their right to worship.|author=|title=|source=}}

The verdict was passed with a 4-1 majority. Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A. M. Khanwilkar, R. F. Nariman and D. Y. Chandrachud supported the admission of women to the temple, while Justice Indu Malhotra dissented.{{Cite news |last1=Rautray |first1=Samanwaya |title=Women of all ages can enter Sabarimala Temple, rules Supreme Court |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/supreme-court-allows-women-to-enter-sabarimala-temple/articleshow/65989807.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=29 September 2018}} Indu Malhotra stated that every individual should be allowed to practice their faith regardless of whether the practice is rational or logical. The Supreme Court based their decision on the violation of Article 25 (Clause 1) and Rule 3(b) of Kerala Hindu Places of Worship.

On 14 November 2019, The Supreme Court Constitution Bench referred the review petitions as well as the writ petitions to a larger bench of at least seven judges, to be constituted by the Honourable Chief Justice of India. Larger benches had previously considered similar cases, such as the entry of Muslim women into mosques and the entry of Parsi women married to non-Parsi men into the holy fireplace.{{Clarify|date=September 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Gogoi |first1=Ranjan |title=Supreme Court Review Petition Judgement |url=https://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2018/38452/38452_2018_1_1501_18283_Judgement_14-Nov-2019.pdf |website=Supreme Court of India |access-date=19 November 2019}} The decision to refer the petitions was supported by the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar and Indu Malhotra. Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud dissented.

According to one argument against the entry of women, the prohibition of female worshipers is traditional. Acharya Yugbhushan Suri Maharaj, a Jain acharya, has said that women's entry is a religious issue connected to fundamental rights. Commenting on the Sabarimala debate, he said, "Whether it is Sabarimala or Jharkhand's Shikharji, the agitations are for sanctity...Religion talks about inner belief and sanctity. This should be respected. I am not against the judiciary or the Supreme Court, but they should not overlook the belief of the people."{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/women-should-not-enter-sabarimala-jain-acharya-pandit-maharaj-1370232-2018-10-18|title=Women should not enter Sabarimala: Jain acharya Pandit Maharaj|date=October 18, 2018|first=Pankaj P.|last=Khelkar|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-03-17}} Yoga guru Ravi Shankar also supported the traditional prohibition of women.{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/tradition-must-be-followed-sri-sri-ravi-shankar-on-sabarimala-row-1382273-2018-11-04|title=Tradition must be followed: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Sabarimala row|newspaper=India Today|language=en|access-date=2019-03-17|agency=Ist}}

Others argue that allowing women to enter would disrespect the male deity. J. Sai Deepak, the lawyer representing two women's groups and a devotee sangam in the Supreme Court case,{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/small-talk-the-deitys-advocate/articleshow/65275883.cms|title=Meet Sabarimala case lawyer Sai Deepak J, who caught the nation's attention with his 'celibacy' argument|last1=Iyer|first1=Lakshmi|date=August 5, 2018|website=Mumbai Mirror|access-date=2019-01-11}} has argued that the deity Ayyappan should be regarded as a person, giving him the constitutional right to privacy under Article 21. When women and girls of reproductive age visit him against his will, the argument follows, it violates Ayyappan's privacy.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-lawyer-for-lord-ayyappa-advocate-sai-deepak-turns-heads-in-supreme-court-arguing-for-sabarimala-deitys-right-to-celibacy-4859291.html|title=A lawyer for Lord Ayyappa: Advocate Sai Deepak turns heads in SC arguing for Sabarimala deity's right to celibacy|last1=Tripathi|first1=Shishir|website=firstpost.com|date=31 July 2018|access-date=20 October 2018}} Some Hindu women believe that Ayyappan himself placed restrictions on women entering the temple because he wanted to be celibate, and the presence of women would distract him from this cause.

A few reporters have pointed out that gender segregation exists in other Hindu temples. Some prominent temples also restrict men's entry. For example, the Brahma temple in Pushkar prevents married men from entering the inner sanctum. Other temples prevent men from entering on certain days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/sep/28/indian-temples-where-men-cant-enter-on-certain-days-1878292.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929120717/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/sep/28/indian-temples-where-men-cant-enter-on-certain-days-1878292.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2018|title=Indian temples where men can't enter on certain days|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/heres-list-8-temples-india-where-men-are-not-allowed-enter-706187|title=Here's a list of 8 temples in India where men are not allowed to enter!|last=Sultania|first=Devyani|date=2016-11-29|website=International Business Times, India Edition|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/JM-RIT-temples-where-men-not-allowed-5533092-PHO.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301233020/http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/JM-RIT-temples-where-men-not-allowed-5533092-PHO.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 March 2017|title=NO ENTRY: 6 Temples In India Where MEN Are Not Allowed To Enter Or Worship|date=2017-02-20|website=dailybhaskar|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}

Some women choose not to enter the temple, believing that it would be an insult to Malikappurathamma's love and sacrifice.

There is also a rule for men who want to pray at the temple; they have to take a vow of celibacy for 4 weeks leading up to their visit.{{Better source needed|date=June 2021}} Some argue that female pilgrims will 'distract' the male pilgrims, who follow a 41-day period of strict abstinence from sex.{{cite web|last1=M.G.|first1=Radhakrishnan|title=Ban on women of prohibited age group visiting Sabarimala shrine comes under scrutiny|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/religion/story/19950115-ban-on-women-of-prohibited-age-group-visiting-sabarimala-shrine-comes-under-scrutiny-806703-1995-01-15|access-date=20 October 2018|website=India Today|language=en}} A statement by the president of the Travancore Devaswom Board stated that allowing women into the temple will lead to 'immoral activities' and turn the place into 'a spot for sex tourism, like Thailand'.{{cite web |last1=Mishra |first1=Anand |title='Advocating women's entry at Sabarimala non-believers' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/those-seeking-womens-entry-698936.html |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=22 October 2018 |language=en |date=20 October 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Philip |first1=Shaju |title=Don't want to turn Sabarimala temple into Thailand, says TDB chairman |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/dont-want-to-turn-sabarimala-to-thailand-tdb-chairman-4889519/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=22 October 2018 |date=14 October 2017}}

Another argument is that the Sabarimala temple is situated at the top of a hill surrounded by mountains and dense forests, which some regard as physically challenging for women to navigate.{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/campus-reporter/2018/10/20/sabarimala-issue-faith-vs-rights.html|title=Sabarimala issue: Faith vs Rights|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-01-11}} An official of Sabarimala has pointed out that the lack of adequate sanitation facilities for women would make their journey difficult.{{cite web |title=Kochi: Practical impediments for women to trek at Sabarimala |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/290918/kochi-practical-impediments-for-women-to-trek-at-sabarimala.html |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |date=29 September 2018}} Hospital facilities are also sparse.

Those in favour of allowing women entry to the Sabarimala temple concentrate on the specific point that menstruation is not impure, and the more general point that women deserve equal rights.{{cite web |author=Cris |title=Menstruation is not dirty, women are not impure: Campaign to counter myths in Kerala |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/menstruation-not-dirty-women-are-not-impure-campaign-counter-myths-kerala-89647 |website=The News Minute |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=8 October 2018}} Activists, such as the Dalit public intellectual, Sunny M. Kapicadu, see the struggle as a continuation of Kerala renaissance which sought to undo centuries of caste and gender inequality and oppression. They therefore welcome the verdict as a reaffirmation of constitutional morality.{{Cite web |last=Ameerudheen |first=T. A. |date=2019-01-03 |title=Interview: Sabarimala protests are a reminder of the role of caste in Kerala’s enlightened society |url=https://scroll.in/article/904875/interview-sabarimala-protests-remind-us-of-the-role-of-caste-in-keralas-enlightened-society |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}

Some in favor of women's entry state that their opponents are motivated by taboos surrounding menstruation.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsclick.in/celibacy-ayyappa-excuse-oppress-women|title=Celibacy of Ayyappa is an Excuse to Oppress Women: NewsClick|last1=S|first1=Yogesh|date=2018-10-14|website=NewsClick|language=en|access-date=20 October 2018}} According to the historian Rajan Gurukkal there is "neither ritual sanctity nor scientific justification" for the argument of menstrual pollution. He opines that the shrine was originally a "cult spot" for a tribal deity, Ayyanar, of local forest dwellers before it became a place of worship for Ayyappa in the 15th century. Unlike traditional Hindu myth (created by mistranslation of texts) that menstruation is impure, the tribal people considered it to be auspicious and a symbol of fertility. They gathered at the temple along with their women and children of all ages until the 1960s. Gurukkal also argues that there is documented evidence of young savarna women making their way into the temple until the 1980s.{{sfn|Gurukkal|2018}}

Over 100 temples in Kerala are dedicated to Ayyappan. Women are allowed to enter all other temples of Ayyappan, so some argue that making an exception for Sabarimala is unusual and inconsistent.{{Cite news |title=The god who bars women from his temple |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45901014 |newspaper=BBC News |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=19 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=List of Ayyappa temples in Kerala |url=https://www.thekeralatemples.com/temple_index_ayyappa.htm |website=Kerala Temples}}

The chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, is in favor of women's entry to Sabarimala. He stated in 2018 that his party (LDF) has always stood for gender equality and would therefore provide facilities for women pilgrims to Sabarimala.{{cite web |title=Women have the same right to worship as men: Pinarayi Vijayan on Sabarimala issue |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/women-have-the-same-right-to-worship-as-men-pinarayi-vijayan-on-sabarimala-issue-1369509-2018-10-17 |website=India Today |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en}}

Prior to the Supreme Court verdict of September 2018, there had been sporadic entries of women to the temple. Former actress and politician Jayamala, for example, claimed to have entered Sabarimala in 1987 as a young woman.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/sabarimala-temple-entry-case-jayamala-s-bold-claim-that-stoked-controversy-in-2006-2784013.html|title=Sabarimala Temple entry case: Jayamala's bold claim that stoked controversy in 2006|last=P|first=Chennabasaveshwar|date=2018-09-28|website=Oneindia|language=en|access-date=2019-01-03}} Following the 2018 verdict, there was immediate resistance from protesters, who made it difficult for women to enter. When Sabarimala was opened for pilgrims in October 2018 for the first time since the Supreme Court verdict, protests were immediately staged at nearby Nilakkal and Pamba, both considered to be basecamps for pilgrims on their way to the temple. Many women journalists who had come to report on the opening were assaulted by the protesters. Police had to use a lathi charge to disperse the protesters.{{Cite news|url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tension-mounts-in-kerala-as-sabarimala-set-to-open-today/story-YRZuiWacJvlZc8Agn1gfJK.html|title=Sabarimala row: Devotees attack journalists, stop women from approaching temple|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=17 October 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45885996|title=Sabarimala: Mobs attack women near India Hindu temple|work=BBC|access-date=17 October 2018}} The protesters also forced a 40-year-old woman from East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh to stop her journey to Sabarimala at Pamba.{{cite web |title=Andhra woman returns without Sabarimala darshan as protests mount |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-andhra-woman-returns-without-sabarimala-darshan-as-protests-mount-2676311 |website=dna |access-date=26 October 2018 |date=17 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=Woman, Family Abandon Sabarimala Trek Out Of Fear, Say No Cops At Temple |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/two-women-devotees-reach-sabarimala-temple-sent-back-by-protesters-1933319 |website=NDTV.com |publisher=NDTV |access-date=26 October 2018}} Suhasini Raj, a journalist working for the New York Times, was also forced to return after she was blocked by protesters near Marakkoottam.{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/181018/new-york-times-journalist-forced-to-return-sabarimala-amid-protest.html|title=New York Times journalist, colleague forced to return from Sabarimala amid protest|work=Deccan Chronicle}}

Two women attempted to enter the temple on 19 October 2018 but were blocked by protesters about 100 metres away from the Garbagriha. They left after the priest warned that he would close the Garbagriha if they attempted to climb the 18 sacred steps leading to the deity.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sabarimala-women-entry-issue-protests-continue/article25258611.ece|title=Sabarimala protests: Women descend the hill without darshan following protests|work=The Hindu|access-date=19 October 2018}} One of the women, Rehana Fathimam was later arrested on grounds of "hurting religious sentiments" for posting a photo on Facebook. The photos showed her sitting in an allegedly 'obscene pose' after dressing up as a devotee of Ayyappa. She was jailed for 18 days and then released on bail.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46369651|title=Sabarimala: India activist held for 'explicit' thigh photo|work=BBC}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/long-climb-2-women-enter-sabarimala-temple-look-back-others-who-tried-94394|title=The long climb: As 2 women enter Sabarimala temple, a look back at others who tried|date=3 January 2019|work=News minute|access-date=2019-01-30|language=en-UK}}

A 46-year-old woman who claimed that "her body was full of divine power from Ayyappa, motivating her to climb Sabarimala" was denied police protection. She had to return home.{{cite web |title=Another woman reaches Pamba to enter Sabarimala, goes back as cops deny protection |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/another-woman-reaches-pamba-enter-sabarimala-goes-back-cops-deny-protection-90219 |website=The News Minute |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=19 October 2018}} Another female journalist and the president of Kerala Dalit Mahila Federation also had to leave without reaching the deity due to the actions of protesters.{{cite web |last1=M.K. |first1=Nidheesh |title=Who is Manju, the Dalit woman devotee who wants to enter Sabarimala? |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/R4AjCpX1QX3AhymMuUUy0I/Who-is-Manju-the-Dalit-woman-devotee-who-wants-to-enter-Sab.html |website=livemint.com |access-date=20 October 2018 |date=20 October 2018}} A female Dalit activist, despite being accompanied by police, was attacked at various places by mobs on her way to Sabarimala and decided to return after reaching Pamba. She lost her job, was forced to leave her home and had to live in an undisclosed location under police protection after threats to her life from the protesters.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/harassed-abused-forced-hiding-woman-s-ordeal-attempting-sabarimala-trek-90453|title=Harassed,abused,forced into hiding: A woman's ordeal for attempting Sabarimala trek|work=The News Minute}}

Trupti Desai, women's rights activist and founder of Bhumata Brigade, was blocked by protesters at Cochin International Airport on 16 November 2018 while on her journey to Sabarimala. She decided to return home after being stranded inside the airport for more than 14 hours, vowing to come back again.{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/sabarimala-live-trupti-desai-to-return-to-pune-after-day-long-standoff-with-protesters-at-kochi-airport-1940755.html|title=Trupti Desai heads back home after protesters bloch her Sabarimala trek, says "will certainly return"|work=news18}}

Four trans women who attempted to visit Sabarimala temple were sent back by Erumely police on 16 December 2018. They alleged that the police harassed them and asked them to dress up like men if they wanted to visit the shrine. Even though they agreed to the demands of the police, they were eventually sent back, with policing citing a general threat to law and order at Sabarimala.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/police-block-four-transgender-persons-entering-sabarimala-93451|title="Why are you dressed like women?": Police threaten, block transwomen at Sabarimala|work=The News Minute}} They returned to the shrine two days later, as the temple authorities did not object to the presence of trans women at Sabarimala.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46603112|title=Four transgender women pray at India's Sabarimala temple|work=BBC}}

A group of 11 women belonging to the Chennai-based women's rights' organisation Manithi was chased away by protesters soon after setting out from the Pamba basecamp on 23 December 2018. The women were under police protection. While the police claimed that the group voluntarily left the area without visiting the shrine, the group alleged that the Kerala Police pressured them to leave.{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/11-sabarimala-bound-women-709539.html|title=11 Sabarimala-bound women chased away|work=Deccan Herald}}

{{Infobox civil conflict

| title = Sabarimala protests

| subtitle =

| partof =

| image = BJP Harthal Protesting against Sabarimala Women Entry 02.jpg

| caption = Bharatiya Janata Party members protesting against Sabarimala women entry

| date = October 2018 - January 2019

| place = Kerala, India

| causes = Protests following the Supreme Court of India's verdict for allowing all women to enter Sabarimala temple.

| goals = {{bulleted list

|To stop women from entering Sabarimala temple

}}

| methods = Harthal

| side1 =

• Supreme Court of India
• Government of Kerala
• Communist Party of India (Marxist)
• Communist Party of India

| side2 =

• Government of India
• Bharatiya Janata Party
• Indian National Congress

}}

In the period following the Supreme Court verdict, a total of seven hartals were organised in Kerala by various Hindu groups under the flag of the Sabarimala Karma Samithi.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}

The first hartal was observed in Pathanamthitta district on 7 October 2018.{{cite web |title=Hartal in Pathanamthitta on Sunday |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/hartal-in-pathanamthitta-on-sunday-1.3201331 |website=mathrubhumi.com |date=6 October 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}} The BJP called for this hartal in response to alleged police violence against Prakash Babu, state president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, during a protest march held on 6 October 2018.{{cite news |title=BJP-sponsored hartal peaceful in Pathanamthitta |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bjp-sponsored-hartal-peaceful-in-pathanamthitta/article25150210.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 October 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{Cite web|title=BJP calls for strike in Kerala's Pathanamthitta tomorrow|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bjp-calls-for-strike-in-keralas-pathanamthitta-tomorrow201810062215040001/|access-date=2021-09-15|website=ANI News|language=en}}

The second hartal was held on 18 October 2018.{{Cite news |title=Sabarimala hartal turns violent, KSRTC buses wrecked |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sabarimala-hartal-turns-violent-ksrtc-buses-wrecked/article25256048.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en-IN |date=18 October 2018}} In the lead-up to the hartal, Malayalam actor and BJP member Kollam Thulasi said that women who enter Sabarimala should be ripped in half. He also declared that the faithful should prevent women from entering the temple.{{cite web|last1=Philip|first1=Shaju|date=13 October 2018|title=Tear in two all women who enter Sabarimala, says actor Kollam Thulasi as Kerala BJP president listens|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-kollam-thulasi-kerala-ayappa-sc-bjp-5400113/|access-date=26 October 2018|website=The Indian Express|publisher=Indian Express}}{{cite web|title=Sabarimala comment: Kollam Thulasi booked, actor apologises|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/10/13/sabarimala-comment-police-file-case-against-kollam-thulasi-actor-apologises.html|access-date=26 October 2018|website=The Week|language=en}} A First Information Report was registered against him, citing his "deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class."{{cite web|date=15 October 2018|title=Actor Kollam Thulasi booked for controversial remarks on women entering Sabarimala|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/actor-kollam-thulasi-booked-controversial-remakes-women-entering-sabarimala-89973|access-date=20 October 2018|website=The News Minute}} The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, held "RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)-driven upper caste religious fanatics" responsible for the violent agitation.{{Cite news |title=Pinarayi blames 'RSS-backed upper caste religious fanatics' for Sabarimala violence |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sabarimala-violence-pinarayi-blames-rss-backed-upper-caste-religious-fanatics/article25257810.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |accessdate=20 October 2018 |language=en-IN |date=18 October 2018}} The Indian National Congress also launched a protest demanding the state government file a review petition against the Supreme Court's verdict.{{cite news |title=Congress launches protest, demands review petition against Sabarimala verdict |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/congress-launches-protest-demands-review-petition-against-sabarimala-verdict/story-sm4qUMSzxhe6gNG8sx28MP.html |access-date=30 October 2018 |agency=Hindustan Times |date=5 October 2018 |language=en}} Rahul Easwar, a member of the family of Sabarimala priests and leader of Ayyappa Dharma Sena, was arrested for inciting violence and rioting near the Sabarimala temple complex. He was denied bail on the grounds that he was likely to return to Sabarimala to incite further trouble.{{Cite news |title=Rahul Easwar, face of 'Save Sabarimala' campaign, on a fast in prison |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rahul-easwar-face-of-save-sabarimala-campaign-on-a-fast-in-prison/article25271833.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en-IN |date=20 October 2018}}{{Cite news |title=Court denied bail to Rahul Easwar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/court-denied-bail-to-rahul-easwar/article25272748.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 October 2018 |language=en-IN |date=20 October 2018}} By the end of October, over 3,000 people had been arrested and around 500 cases were registered at police stations across Kerala.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/total-3-345-sabarimala-protestors-arrested-till-now-1938825|title=Total 3,345 Sabarimala protestors arrested till now|work=NDTV}}

The third hartal occurred on 2 November 2018. The putative cause was the death a lottery ticket seller, Sivadasan, who had gone on the Sabarimala pilgrimage and was found dead near Laha. BJP called for a hartal in Pathanamthitta district. They blamed police action at Pamba for his death, although police confirmed that Sivadasan had died in a traffic accident.{{cite web |title=Ayyappa devotee found dead; BJP hartal in Pathanamthitta begins. |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/districts/pathanamthitta/2018/11/01/ayyappa-devotee-death-bjp-hartal-pathanamthitta.html |website=manoramaonline.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Sivadasan's mysterious death: BJP hartal in Pathanamthitta today |url=http://www.keralakaumudi.com/en/news/kerala/general/sivadasan%E2%80%99s-mysterious-death-bjp-hartal-in-pathanamthitta-tomorrow-9428 |website=keralakaumudi.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Ayyappa Devotee Found Dead, BJP Calls for Strike in Kerala District |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bjp-calls-for-strike-in-kerala-district-after-body-of-devotee-found-police-refute-claims-1941840 |website=NDTV |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=BJP calls for 12-hour strike in Kerala's Pathanamthitta today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-calls-for-12-hour-strike-in-kerala-s-pathanamthitta-today-1380845-2018-11-02 |website=indiatoday |access-date=3 January 2019}}

Anticipating protests, IPC Section 144, which can be used to prevent the assembly of people in the possibility of danger, was declared at Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavunkal when the temple reopened for the 41-day Mandalam Makaravilakku pilgrim season on 16 November 2018.{{cite web |title=OPENING AND CLOSING DAYS OF SABARIMALA TEMPLE |url=http://travancoredevaswomboard.org/opening-and-closing-days-of-sabarimala-temple-in-2013-14 |website=travancoredevaswomboard.org |access-date=3 January 2019}} Around 70 people were arrested for defying these orders and protesting near the main temple. This included K. Surendran, state secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and K.P. Sasikala, leader of Hindu Aikya Vedi, who were taken into preventive detention during their journey to the temple on 17 November.{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sabarimala-kerala-court-grants-bail-to-bjp-leader-surendran-and-71-others-1393457-2018-11-21|title=Sabarimala: Kerala court grants bail to BJP leader Surendran and 71 others|work=India Today}}{{cite web |title=Kerala hartal triggered by arrest of Hindu Aikya Vedi leader who wanted to go to Sabarimala |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-hartal-triggered-by-arrest-of-hindu-aikya-vedi-leader-who-wanted-to-go-to-sabarimala-temple-5450997/ |website=indianexpress.com |date=17 November 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}

The fourth hartal in Kerala was organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party on 17 November 2018. The reason given for this hartal was the arrest of K P Sasikala. It was a statewide demonstration.{{cite web |title=State-wide hartal in Kerala after KP Sasikala arrested from Sabarimala |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/state-wide-hartal-kerala-after-kp-sasikala-arrested-sabarimala-91704 |website=thenewsminute.com |date=17 November 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite news |title=Sabarimala: Hartal called in Kerala after Hindu woman leader |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/sabarimala-hartal-called-in-kerala-after-hindu-woman-leaders-arrest/articleshow/66663219.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=17 November 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite news |title=Sabarimala: Hartal called in Kerala after Hindu woman leader's arrest|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sabarimala-hartal-called-in-kerala-after-hindu-woman-leaders-arrest/articleshow/66663918.cms |newspaper=The Economic Times |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Sabarimala row: BJP protest KP Sasikala's arrest; Terms it outrageous |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/nov/17/sabarimala-row-bjp-protest-kp-sasikalas-arrest-terms-it-outrageous-1899450.html |website=newindianexpress.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}

On 21 November, Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner P Prakash threatened Non-resident Indians with "getting their passports cancelled, and forcing [them] to return to India." The police commissioner accused them of "inciting riots and fermenting trouble over the Sabarimala issue" and using social media to deliberately create instability in the region.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/will-cancel-passports-nris-inciting-riots-over-sabarimala-issue-say-kerala-cops-91923|title=Will cancel passports of NRIs inciting riots over Sabarimala issue say Kerala cops|date=2018-11-21|work=The News Minute|access-date=2018-11-22}} The Kerala police department was severely criticised by the High Court for the restrictions it had implemented in Sabarimala, which had caused difficulty for pilgrims.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Following this criticism from the High Court, all restrictions except Section 144 were gradually removed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/kerala-hc-lifts-restrictions-imposed-by-police-in-sabarimala-except-section-144-1952449.html|title=Kerala High Court lifts restrictions imposed by police in Sabarimala except section 144|work=News 18}} The Indian National Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party launched separate protests demanding the state government revoke the Section 144 restrictions.

The fifth hartal took place on 11 December 2018. Bharatiya Janata Party called this hartal in the Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. It was in response to the alleged police action against the march organised by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha on 10 December 2018.{{cite news |title=BJP's secretariat march turns violent, hartal in Thiruvananthapuram. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/bjps-secretariat-march-turns-violent-hartal-in-tvm-today/articleshow/67031380.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=11 December 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=BJP march over Sabarimala issue turns violent; hartal in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/dec/10/bjp-march-over-sabarimala-issue-turns-violent-hartal-in-thiruvananthapuram-1909688.html |website=newindianexpress.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=BJP-Yuva Morcha protest turns violent, hartal in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bjp-yuva-morcha-protest-turns-violent-hartal-thiruvananthapuram-tuesday-93107 |website=thenewsminute.com |date=10 December 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=BJP March over Sabarimala Issue Turns Violent; Hartal in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/bjp-march-over-sabarimala-issue-turns-violent-hartal-in-thiruvananthapuram-on-tuesday-1969513.html |website=news18.com |date=10 December 2018 |access-date=3 January 2019}}

A 49-year-old man committed suicide in front of the protest site on 13 December 2018; afterward, BJP called for another statewide hartal. It was the sixth hartal invoked by BJP on Sabarimala issue since the beginning of the Mandalam Makaravilakku pilgrim season at Sabarimala.{{cite web |title=BJP hartal affects normal life in Kerala |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/12/14/BJP-hartal-affects-normal-life-in-Kerala.html |website=theweek.in |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Sabarimala row: BJP hartal affects normal life in Kerala |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/dec/14/sabarimala-row-bjp-hartal-affects-normal-life-in-kerala-1911506.html |website=newindianexpress.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Again, BJP calls for hartal over man's death in front of Secretariat |url=http://www.keralakaumudi.com/en/news/kerala/general/again-bjp-calls-for-hartal-over-mans-death-in-front-of-secretariat-26213 |website=keralakaumudi.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Devotee' ends life, BJP calls for Kerala shutdown today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/devotee-ends-life-bjp-calls-for-12-hour-hartal/articleshow/67083021.cms |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=3 January 2019}} The BJP alleged that the man was an Ayyappa devotee who had immolated himself in protest against the restrictions imposed by the Kerala government at Sabarimala.{{cite web |title=Analysis - Why a stranger's suicide prompted BJP to declare a hartal |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2018/12/14/stranger-suicide-prompted-bjp-declare-hartal-kerala.html |website=english.manoramaonline.com |access-date=3 January 2019}} The police maintained that the man had committed suicide for personal reasons and his dying declaration did not mention Sabarimala.{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-temple-kerala-bjp-calls-for-hartal-after-ayyappa-devotee-immolates-self-5492475/|title=Kerala:BJP calls for hartal after Ayyappa devotee immolates self|work=The Indian Express}}

On 26 December, thousands of Ayyapa devotees, mainly women, took part in Ayyappa Jyothi, an event organised by Hindutva groups to protest the Supreme Court verdict. In some places, the participants at the event were attacked by activists from the Communist Party of India and Democratic Youth Federation of India. In response, Kerala Police arrested 16 people who allegedly planned the attacks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sabarimala-ayyappa-jyothi-left-activists-arrested-attack-on-devotees-1418764-2018-12-28|title=More than dozen left activists arrested for attacking Ayyappa Jyothi|work=indiatoday}} Cases are also filed against 1400 people who took part in the Ayyappa Jyothi event.{{cite web |title=Cases filed against 1400 people who took part in Ayyappa Jyothi event in Kerala |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cases-filed-against-1400-people-who-took-part-ayyappa-jyothi-event-kerala-94219 |website=thenewsminute.com |access-date=10 January 2019}}

As a counter protest, women supporting the Supreme Court verdict formed a human chain called Vanitha Mathil (Women's Wall), which stretched across the state of Kerala. Around three to five million women participated in the event. Vanitha Mathi was organised by the state government.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/womens-wall-live-updates-massive-turnout-in-kerala-for-equal-rights/articleshow/67335718.cms |title=Women's Wall highlights: Massive turnout in Kerala for equal rights |date=1 January 2019 |work=India Today |access-date=1 January 2019}}

The seventh hartal was on 3 January 2019. Sabarimala Karma Samithi called a statewide hartal in Kerala, supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The hartal was provoked by the successful entry of two women, Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga, into Sabarimala.{{cite web |title=Protests erupt in Kerala after two women enter Sabarimala; BJP, Congress attack Vijayan govt |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-women-entry-supreme-court-verdict-5519406/ |website=indianexpress.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Hartal Over Entry of Women Into Sabarimala Begins in Kerala; Vehicles Blocked |url=https://thewire.in/politics/hartal-over-entry-of-women-into-sabarimala-begins-in-kerala-vehicles-blocked |website=thewire.in |access-date=3 January 2019}} One of the protesters, Chandran Unnithan, a member of Sabarimala Karma Samiti, was injured when CPI(M) members started pelting stones and he died shortly of severe head injuries.{{cite web |title=Ayyappa devotee Chandran died of skull injuries, says preliminary autopsy report |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ayyappa-devotee-chandran-died-skull-injuries-says-preliminary-autopsy-report-94434 |website=thenewsminute.com |access-date=10 January 2019}}

Many cases of violence and arson were reported from across the state during this particular hartal. Fed up with the economic and social effects of the hartals, trade organisations in Kerala had already decided to observe 2019 as 'anti-hartal year' and to defy future hartals.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/traders-reject-hartal-call/articleshow/67355377.cms|title=Sabarimala row; trader organizations reject hartal call|work=Times of India}} Even though police had promised them adequate protection, shops which opened in defiance of the hartal were widely attacked; some were even set on fire. Media organisations boycotted all press conferences by the Bharatiya Janata Party following unprovoked, targeted attacks on journalists.{{cite web |title=Sabarimala issue live updates - Journalists attacked in Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala-hartal-over-womens-entry-into-sabarimala-ayyappa-temple-live-updates/article25896604.ece |website=thehindu.com |access-date=3 January 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/angered-over-attack-media-persons-kerala-journalists-boycott-bjp-pressers-94440|title=Angered over attack on media persons, Kerala journalists boycott BJP pressers|work=The News Minute}}

More than 100 buses belonging to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation were damaged. Offices, libraries and businesses related to the ruling Communist party were damaged, and incidents of street fights between CPI(M) and BJP cadres were reported in many places. Anticipating further violence, Section 144 was imposed in the towns of Palakkad and Manjeswaram the next day.{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-turns-into-war-zone-after-womens-entry-into-sabarimala/articleshow/67370294.cms|title=Kerala turns into war zone after women's entry into Sabarimala|work=Times of India}}{{cite web |title=Sabarimala protests: Activist succumbs to injuries, Kerala on edge after 2 women enter temple |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sabarimala-unrest-kerala-activist-dies-in-clash-hartal-today-1422363-2019-01-03 |website=indiatoday.in |access-date=3 January 2019}}

There were reports of attacks on the homes of both women who had tried to enter Sabarimala as well as those who supported the verdict. A hotel owned by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation at Chennai was also damaged by unidentified men protesting against women's entry to Sabarimala. Leaders of the ruling CPI(M) compared those unleashing violence over the Sabarimala verdict to Taliban and Khalistan terrorists.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-man-attacked-supporting-four-young-women-who-wanted-enter-sabarimala-92461?amp|title=Kerala man attacked for supporting four young women who wanted to enter Sabarimala|work=The News Minute}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/india/article/sabarimala-news-issue-temple-kerala-news-hartal-tomorrow-ktdc-hotel-chennai-attacked-pinarayi-viajayan-sabarimala-women-entry-temple-news-lord-ayyappa/340795|title=Sabarimala protests reached Tamil Nadu: Kerala govt hotel attacked in Chennai by unidentified miscreants|work=Times Now}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cpi-m-equates-rss-to-taliban-khalistan-terrorists-over-sabarimala-row-1951156|title=CPI(M) equates RSS to Taliban, Khalistan terrorists over Sabarimala row|work=NDTV}}

On 2 January 2019, two women, Bindu Ammini (aged 40) and Kanakadurga (aged 39), entered the Sabarimala shrine,{{cite magazine |title=They Entered a Forbidden Hindu Temple in the Name of Women's Rights. Now They're in Hiding |url=https://time.com/longform/bindu-kanakadurga-women-hinduism-india/ |access-date=26 February 2021 |magazine=Time}}{{cite news |title=Sabarimala: Indian women make history by entering temple |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46733750 |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=BBC News |date=January 2, 2019}} which was confirmed with images from CCTV.{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/01/02/sabarimala-women-claim-entry-kerala-police.html|title=After young women enter Sabarimala, tantri holds purification rituals|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-01-02}}{{Cite news|title=Women defy historic temple ban|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-46742499|access-date=2021-09-15}} Ammini is a resident of Koyilandy in Kozhikode district and Kanakadurga is a native of Angadipuram in the district of Malappuram. After they entered, the temple was closed for purification, and many protested.{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Kai |last2=Venkataraman |first2=Ayesha |title=2 Indian Women Enter Sabarimala Temple, Setting Off Protests Near Hindu Shrine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/asia/india-women-wall-sabarimala.html |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=January 2, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Kai |title=Her Visit to a Men-Only Temple Went Smoothly. Then the Riots Started. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/world/asia/temple-india-sabarimala-ammini.html |access-date=28 March 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=January 18, 2019}} They were the first women to enter Sabarimala following the decision by the Supreme Court to end the 18-year-old restriction on women of menstrual age entering the shrine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/two-women-below-50-enter-keralas-sabarimala-temple-police-sources-1971204|title=2 Women Below 50 Enter Sabarimala, Temple Reopens After "Purification"|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-01-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/indian-women-enter-sabarimala-temple-kerala-protests-190102072009305.html|title=Two Indian women enter Sabarimala temple in Kerala amid protests {{!}} News {{!}} Al Jazeera|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-01-04}} Ammini and Kanakadurga entered the temple not via the 18 sacred steps but through the staff gate. They did so with police escort at around 3:45 AM on Wednesday 2 January 2019, when few other devotees or protesters were in the vicinity.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46733750|title=Women take historic step into India shrine|date=2019-01-02|work=BBC News|access-date=2019-01-02|language=en-GB}} They had previously attempted to climb the hill on 24 December, but they were blocked by protesters. According to reports, both women had stayed at a secret location, vowing not to return home until they offered prayers at the temple.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/two-women-below-50-claim-they-entered-keralas-sabarimala-temple/articleshow/67343779.cms|title=Two women below 50 claim they entered Kerala's Sabarimala temple - Times of India ►|website=The Times of India|access-date=2019-01-02}} The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, confirmed that the pair had entered the temple, and underlined that the police force was duty-bound to give protection to anyone who asked for security.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sabarimala-women-entry-supreme-court-verdict-5519406/|title=Protests erupt in Kerala after two women enter Sabarimala; BJP, Congress attack Vijayan govt|date=2019-01-02|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-01-02}} He referred to the entry as a historic moment.

Their entry was followed by various more successful entries of women to the temple in the same month. On 4 January 2019, a 46-year-old woman from Sri Lanka entered the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple and prayed in the Garbagriha.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-police-reconfirm-sabarimala-darshan-of-sri-lankan-national/article25909278.ece|title=Kerala police reconfirm Sabarimala darshan of Sri Lankan national|date=2019-01-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-04|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} She became the first woman under the age of 50 to have climbed the 18 holy steps with irumudikkettu (offerings to the deity) since the Supreme Court verdict.{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2019/01/04/sabarimala-temple-womens-entry-issue-kerala.html|title=46-year-old Sri Lankan woman enters Sabarimala, Kerala CM's office confirms|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-01-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/top-stories/sri-lankan-woman-is-latest-to-enter-sabarimala-temple/ar-BBRMzqu|title=Sri Lankan woman is latest to enter Sabarimala temple|website=MSN|language=en-XL|access-date=2019-01-04}} Four days later, a 36-year-old female Dalit leader claimed to have entered the temple.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/36-year-old-kerala-woman-claims-she-entered-sabarimala-temple-on-tuesday-1975332|title=36-Year-Old Dyes Hair Grey, Claims To Have Entered Sabarimala Temple|date=2019-01-10|work=NDTV|access-date=2019-01-11|language=en-IN}} To prove the claim, a Facebook group called 'Navodhana Keralam Sabarimalayilekku' ('Renaissance Kerala to Sabarimala') posted a series of videos and photos showing the Dalit leader at Sabarimala.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/another-woman-pray-at-sabarimala/article25951943.ece|title=35-year-old woman in 'disguise' enters Sabarimala|date=2019-01-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-11|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}

On 18 January 2019, the Government of Kerala informed the Supreme Court that, after Ammini and Kanakadurga, 51 women of reproductive age dodged protesters to enter the Sabarimala shrine.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sc-directs-kerala-police-to-provide-round-the-clock-security-to-two-women-who-entered-sabarimala-shrine/article26024728.ece|title=51 women of menstrual age entered Sabarimala shrine post Supreme Court judgment|date=2019-01-18|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-19|others=Krishnadas Rajagopal|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} Media reports have noted several discrepancies in the list submitted by Kerala government; for example, their list included post-menopausal women and even one man.{{cite news |date=January 19, 2019 |first1=Lokpria |last1=Vasudevan |title=Male driver, wrong Aadhaar details: How Kerala's list of women who entered Sabarimala touched 51 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/51-women-sabarimala-kerala-government-list-errors-1434268-2019-01-19 |access-date=21 January 2019 |work=India Today |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Kerala's List Of 51 Women Who Entered Sabarimala Has A Tamil Nadu Man |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/keralas-list-of-51-women-who-entered-sabarimala-has-a-tamil-nadu-man-1979897 |access-date=21 January 2019 |work=NDTV.com}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web |title=Indian Young Lawyers Association vs The State Of Kerala on 28 September, 2018 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/163639357/ |website=indiankanoon.org |access-date=24 October 2018 |ref={{harvid|SC2018}}}}
• {{cite web |title=S. Mahendran vs The Secretary, Travancore ... on 5 April, 1991 |url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1915943/ |website=indiankanoon.org |access-date=24 October 2018 |ref={{harvid|KHC1991}}}}
• {{cite news |title=Sabarimala controversy: women lawyers move Supreme Court |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/sabarimala-controversy-women-lawyers-move-supreme-court/article18470164.ece |access-date=29 October 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=31 July 2006 |ref={{harvid|Hindu2006}} |language=en-IN}}
• {{cite news |last1=Gurukkal |first1=Rajan | author-link = Rajan Gurukkal |title=Yes, Sabarimala Is In Peril, But Not The Way You Think |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/yes-sabarimala-is-in-peril-but-not-the-way-you-think/300818 |access-date=29 October 2018 |publisher=Outlook |date=25 October 2018 }}

• {{cite journal |last1=Acevedo |first1=Deepa Das |title=Pause for Thought |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |date=5 June 2015 |volume=53 |issue=43 |url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2018/43/commentary/pause-thought.html |language=en}}
• {{cite book |author1=Gilles Tarabout |editor1-last=Berti |editor1-first=Daniella |editor2-last=Good |editor2-first=Anthony |editor3-last=Tarabout |editor3-first=Gilles |title=Of Doubt and Proof. Legal and Ritual Practices of Judgmen |date=2015 |publisher=Ashgate |isbn=978-1-4724-3451-7 |pages=70–71 |chapter-url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01246885/document |chapter=Religious Uncertainty, Astrology and the Courts in South India}}

Category:Women's rights in India

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