Sabarimala protests live updates: BJP leader taken into preventive custody

Protestors outside the Cochin airport

Trupti Desai in yellow dress with her supporters at CIAL

Protest against arrival of Trupti Desai

Trupti Desai, founder of Bhumata Brigade, has arrived at the Cochin airport from Pune. She had written to Kerala CM seeking security for her visit to Sabrimala Temple on November 17.

Kerala: Protesters gather outside Cochin International Airport

The sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala will open at 5 pm Friday. Though devotees will be allowed into the shrine from 5 pm to 10 pm, pujas will be held only from the next day, the first day of Malayalam month of 'Vrischikom'.

The state had witnessed a string of protests by the Congress, the BJP, RSS and right wing outfits against the LDF government's decision to implement the court verdict. Frenzied devotees had prevented at least a dozen women in the 10-50 age group from entering the temple when it opened for five days last month and two days this month for monthly and special puja amid high drama.

The erstwhile Pandalam Royal family, associated with the temple, told the chief minister there was no change in its stand with regard to rituals and traditions of the shrine and it was against entry of young women.

Over 15,000 personnel, including women police personnel and 860 women civil police officers, would be deployed during the season, when lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country are expected to throng the shrine

State Director General of Police Loknath Behara told reporters at Nilackal, a base camp, that security has been doubled at Sabarimala and nearby areas for the season, compared to the previous two occasions when the temple opened last month and early this month.

The government also put forward certain suggestions, including setting apart certain days for young women to offer prayers, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, adding these had to be discussed with all stakeholders.

At the all-party meeting Thursday, the Kerala government took a firm stand it would implement the verdict, prompting the opposition to walk out in protest.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC banning assembly of four or more people are in force in Sabarimala in Kerala from midnight Thursday for a week

The Sabarimala temple opens Friday evening, for the two-month long annual pilgrim season, amidst unprecedented security blanket for the third time since the apex court verdict allowed women of all age group to offer prayers at the hilltop Lord Ayyappa temple.