The two women who unsuccessfully attempted to enter Sabarimala temple on Wednesday morning, Shanila Satheesh and Reshma Nishanth, have begun a hunger strike after they were blocked from entering the temple by protesters gathered there. They are demanding that adequate arrangements be made for them to complete their Sabarimala darshan safely, and are reportedly on a hunger strike at an unknown location to ensure their safety and avoid attacks from angry protesters.
A nine-member group, including Shanila, Reshma and seven male companions brought along to help ensure their safety, had arrived at Pamba early on Wednesday morning. They were stopped by a rapidly swelling group protesters at Nilakkal around 4.30 am. After nearly three to four hours of protests, the pair were accompanied to Pamba police control room, where it was decided that they would abandon their trek. Reshma told reporters that the police forced them to abandon their trek and descend the hill, and that they did not abandon the trek of their own volition.
