Sabarimala Row: Trupti Desai faces protests in Mumbai upon arrival

Mangalore Today News Network

Kerala, Nov 17, 2018 : Sabarimala Temple opened for the third time on Friday, 16 November, since the SC lifted the ban on women’s entry, amid furore over activist Trupti Desai’s attempt to enter the shrine. After a more than 14-hour-long stand-off, the activist aborted her attempt to proceed to Sabarimala as protesters prevented her from leaving the Kochi airport.

 

While on her return to Pune, Desai also faced protests at the Mumbai airport in the early hours of Saturday.

The temple has opened for a 62-day long Mandala Pooja-Magaravilaku annual pilgrimage season.

Desai announced on Friday night that she would return back as police informed her that there would be a law and order problem if she visited the shrine.

However, she said, “We will come back to Kerala to visit Sabarimala but we will not declare it in advance and come”

SC, on 13 Nov, refused to stay its 28 September verdict and fixed 22 January to hear all the review petitions

On 28 September, in a 4:1 verdict, the Supreme Court had granted entry to women of all age groups, allowing them to pay an obeisance to Lord Ayyappa.

Sabarimala Karma Samithi Calls Statewide Shutdown

Sabarimala Karma Samithi called for a statewide shutdown on Saturday, 17 November, from 6 am to 6 pm, in protest against the arrest of Hindu Aikya Vedi state president KP Sasikala at Marakkoottam on Friday night.

She was going to Sannidhanam and was arrested after she protested when police didn’t allow her to travel at night.


Trupti Desai Faces Protests at Mumbai

Protesters gathered outside Mumbai airport on Friday night, as activist Trupti Desai arrived there from Kochi.
"“Trust Desai should try going there (to Sabarimala) after attaining 50 years of age and not before that. She won’t be allowed to step inside the temple before that. There are so many devotees working towards this and stopping other women too.”" - Protesters outside Mumbai airport, as quoted by ANI

The activist was at Kochi airport for the entire day on Friday as protesters did not allow her to proceed to the Sabarimala Temple.
Sad to See People Calling Themselves Ayappa Devotees Are Threatening Us: Trupti Desai

Trupti Desai, while addressing the media at the airport said that she was sad to see the so called Ayappa devotees threaten her.

“Protestors threatened taxi drivers from providing us services. Hotel staff was threatened of damage to hotels if rooms were given to us. It saddens me to see that people who call themselves Ayyappa devotees are abusing and threatening us,” she said.
Trupti Desai Returns to Pune, Not Allowed to Proceed to Sabarimala

Trupti Desai to return to her hometown Pune tonight. She has been at the Kochi airport since morning as protesters did not allow her to proceed to Sabarimala temple.

“Trupti Desai should go back. She will have to step on our chests and walk over us if she wants to enter Sabarimala Temple,” he said.