Sabarimala row: Unrelenting protest shocks tourists

KOCHI: “I can’t believe what is happening here. I come from Canada, where men and women are treated equal. Such a protest outside the airport is unbelievable and unbecoming of a tourist destination,” said Catherine who arrived with a group at Cochin domestic airport around 9.30am on Friday.

She was surprised to see large number of men and women at the exit gate of the airport, chanting the names of Ayyappa.Her tour guide explained that protesters had gathered at the airport’s exit gates early in the morning as Bhumata Brigade activist Trupti Desai and six other persons were arriving from Pune at 4.40am.

One of the protesters tried to eagerly explain to a surprised Catherine that they were not stopping all women at the temple, but only those aged between 10 and 50. To this, she replied that the very same thing was unjust and unlawful.

When Desai landed here, there were only 20-odd protestors. The domestic arrival area looked like a fortress with huge police presence. As news of her arrival spread, hundreds gathered there and outnumbered the police. Hindu Aikya Vedi general secretary R V Babu was among the first to address the protesters. “If police or government try to take her to Sabarimala, the repercussion will be huge. We shouldn’t trouble other passengers,” he said. But, it was easier said than done, because there were many passengers who were upset with the happenings at the airport.

Another protester, Satyabhama added that activists should learn to respect religious sentiments. Desai and her group were silently watching the drama unfolding outside. In between, police tried to move them out using another gate, but protesters blocked her exit. Babu tried to reach out to Desai and even flashed a note, “We would like to meet you and discuss your Sabarimala visit.”

While Catherine was talking to this journalist, one of the protesters suddenly appeared and grabbed my notes, alleged in a threatening voice: “She is a Desai supporter, who is spreading a false message against us.”

The foreigners were shocked by the turn of events, even as fellow colleagues rushed to the spot and informed that I was a journalist on duty. The protester moved backed to the crowd but with a threat: “You won’t be spared. I will show you.”