A group of women, representing various organisations, will approach the Kerala High Court seeking permission to enter Agasthyarkoodam peak.

Around 50 women staged a protest in front of the Secretariat on Saturday morning holding placards. They also announced in a press conference that they will approach the HC.

The women’s group had held discussions with forest minister K Raju in January in this regard. “Following this, the chief wildlife warden issued an order giving permission for women’s entry into Agasthyarkoodam,” Sulfath M of ‘Pennoruma’ told The News Minute.

However, a tribal organisation- Adivasi Mahasabha-approached the HC against the order following which the court issued a stay on February 20. “We will approach the court seeking to vacate the stay order,” said Sulfath.

Rejitha G representing Sakhi Women’s Resource Centre said that the government has betrayed the faith and acted in collusion with the Adivasi Mahasabha to get the stay order.

“The group consisting of 51 women, was scheduled to travel to Agasthyarkoodam peak on February 25. But we were provided the minutes of the meeting with the minister, only two days ago. Though the minister had agreed to permit entry of women to Agasthyarkoodam, in the minutes it’s till Athirumala only, which is 18 kilometres away from the starting point of the peak,” she said.