The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala is leaving no stone unturned to make its stand clear in the Sabarimala issue. The ‘Vanitha Mathil’ or Women’s Wall, campaign with a human chain of women, which is scheduled to be held on January 1, is expected to witness the participation of some of the prominent names in the state ranging from all walks of life.
According to a report in the Times of India (ToI), around 220 women who are prominent names in the social and cultural fields in Kerala, in a statement on Thursday said, “The Women’s Wall will be a manifestation of declaration of right to freedom and equality by the women of Kerala.” The statement also added that the wall “aims to preserve renaissance values that have become the foundation of democratisation of Kerala.”
Some of the prominent personalities who have confirmed their participation in the Women’s Wall are Malayalam writer, literary critic and educationist, M Leelavathy, writers P Vatsala and Khadeeja Mumtaz, athletes Mercy Kuttan, Preeja Sreedharan and boxer KV Lekha.
The 220 names also include prominent names from the Malayalam film industry, including Parvathy Thiruvoth, Rima Kallingal, Remya Nambeesan, Bina Paul and Geethu Mohandas.
It has also been reported that the State Minister for Social Justice, KK Shailaja, will be the first member of the Women’s Wall, starting from Kasargod.
Against the backdrop of the Sabarimala issue, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan earlier this month had made an announcement regarding the formation of a human chain of women on January 1 from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram. Calling it a ‘vanitha mathil’ (women’s wall), the CM said that the decision was made after a meeting with various Hindu organisations.
“This is against the attempts to destroy the renaissance values and to spread awareness to people. The various communities are joining hands to make a big intervention that the country should make note of, and understand that Kerala society cannot be sent back to the old dark ages by anyone; we will not allow that,” Pinarayi Vijayan had said.