A protest was held today at Pandalam in Kerala against the Supreme Court verdict which permitted the entry of all women into the famous Sabarimala Temple. The protest is led by the Pandalam Royal Family which claim that the verdict will destroy the promise they made to Lord Ayyappan.
Dear Devotees of Swami Ayyappa,
Come to Pandalam. The land were Ayyappa lived.
Let’s tell the Govt to pass ordinance to protect the Deity’s Rights.
Today at 3pm. @HKupdate @jaypanicker #ReadytoWait #SaveSabarimala pic.twitter.com/blOK8cYdBT— Anjali George (@Kuvalayamala) October 2, 2018
Various Hindu groups participated in the protests. Apart from the Pandalam royal family, members of the People for Dharma movement, members of the ‘Ready to Wait’ campaign, various members of Tanthri families and devotees of Lord Ayyappan were also part of the protest.
Crowd flowing to Pandalam asking the govt to pass Ordinance to protect the Deity’s rights & preserve the Cultural diversity of Hindus.
All who can reach Pandalam now, come fast#SaveSabarimala#ReadytoWait pic.twitter.com/hijmVbFUCN
— Anjali George (@Kuvalayamala) October 2, 2018
Pandalam is getting ready to witness the mass protest.#SaveSabarimala #ReadyToWait pic.twitter.com/0nbfJUQ3uQ
— HKupdate (@HKupdate) October 2, 2018
Scores of women have come forward demanding that an ordinance be issued against the Supreme Court verdict claiming that native traditions are being violated.
Women devotees of Ayyappa. The real stake holders in Sabarimala case. Our right to practice our faith & native traditions have been violated. #SaveSabarimala by passing Ordinance to protect our temple. #ReadytoWait pic.twitter.com/CnfXv1yJF8
— Anjali George (@Kuvalayamala) October 2, 2018
Public sentiment has been averse to the Supreme Court verdict and protests against it appear to be gaining momentum with every passing day. The following is a protest organized in previous days.
Peaceful protest against the verdict, to non believers and ignorant courts, this is led by women devotees who believe in tantra Shastra. Clueless folks should introspect why women are against this. #Sabarimala #SabarimalaVerdict #SaveSabarimala more power to you. #ReadyToWait pic.twitter.com/TYpJndAae6
— krithika sivaswamy (@krithikasivasw) October 1, 2018
It is pertinent to remember that the only dissenter against the majority judgment of the Supreme Court was a woman, Justice Indu Malhotra, who asserted that the Court should not interfere with matters of deep religious sentiment. Although the protests are gaining momentum, it is still too early to say whether they will succeed in achieving their desired purpose.
