30 Chennai women to enter Sabarimala temple, ‘come what may’

India Times
More than 30 women from Chennai are all set to go to Sabarimala temple to pay respects to Lord Ayyappa. The women, all aged between 35 and 40, are part of Manithi which works for the welfare of women and children.
“We are ardent devotees of Lord Ayyappa, and the Supreme Court ruling on allowing entry of women brought us joy. However, it’s sad that many women are being turned away by protesters who claim that we would make the temple unholy,” said Vasumathi Vasanth, one of the members of the organisation who will also be going to Sabarimala. They are likely to leave the city on December 22 and reach Sabarimala the next day, December 23. Despite the Supreme Court verdict which allows women of all age groups to offer prayers at the shrine, massive protests and violence broke out in Kerala against the verdict. So far, around 16 women have been turned away from entering the temple premises, and the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government in the state couldn’t do much to ensure their entry into the temple. While this group of women is aware of the possible consequences and violence that might erupt when they are spotted near the temple, they seem firm and determined. “The more they push us away, the more we will fight back. And facing such situations is not new for women, we face protests and ordeal in our daily lives. We will enter the temple, come what may,” said Vasanthi.