Right to Pray activist Trupti Desai is planning to visit Kerala to make her second attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple. Speaking to TNM, the chief of the Bhumata Brigade confirmed that she will be going to the temple after November 20 but added that the date has not been finalised. Responding to Kerala government’s statement that it will not be providing police protection to women who attempt the climb, Trupti said it was the state’s responsibility to uphold the 2018 judgment and that any action otherwise would be going against the court.
“Kerala government is responsible for upholding 2018 judgment, since there is no stay imposed on it by the court. Women who visit the temple are confronted by some people who indulge in violence and abuse women, so Kerala government is obliged to give protection. If not, then it is an insult to women as well as the Supreme Court,” Trupti told TNM.
Kerala Devaswom Minister had also stated that “women activists” will not be allowed to climb up to the temple and that any woman who wishes to enter should get a court order seeking police protection.
“Why do we need a separate court order? We already have the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict. Had the Supreme Court imposed a stay on the 2018 order, only then would we require a court order. So about police protection, law and order is a state issue and the state government has to ensure it takes all necessary measures, be it protection to women or maintaining law and order. That is the duty of the government,” Trupti said.
Exactly one year ago, on November 16, 2018, Trupti had come to Kerala to attempt the climb after the Supreme Court allowed the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple. However, even before she landed at Cochin International Airport, a large number of protesting Ayyappa devotees gathered outside and blocked her exit from the airport. After spending 15 hours there, she decided to leave and told the media that she “will be back with guerrilla tactics.”