Don't send women journalists to Sabarimala: Hindu-outfits to media houses
What's the story
Several Hindu outfits in Kerala agitating against the entry of women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala Temple have urged media outlets not to depute women journalists to cover the issue as the Lord Ayyappa temple is set to open Monday for a special puja.
The "appeal" was issued by Sabarimala Karma Samiti which includes the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Hindu Aikyavedi,
The issues
Women reporters were attacked by Hindu fringe groups last month
When the temple opened for monthly puja for five days last month, the first time after the court order, women reporters, on their way to cover the occasion, were heckled.
Their vehicles were attacked and young female devotees were forced to turn back as protesters, including activists of Hindu fringe groups, laid a siege to the road leading to Sabarimala.
Warning or request?
Women's entry will aggravate the situation: Sabarimala Karma Samiti
In its letter to editors, the Samiti said even the entry of women journalists belonging to this age group (10-50 years) as part of their job was also likely to aggravate the situation.
"Recognizing your right to support or oppose the devotees stand on this issue, we hope you'll not take a stand which would aggravate the situation," it said.
Puja timings
Here are the temple timings for 'puja' and 'darshan'
The doors of the temple will be opened Monday evening for puja on the occasion of "Chithira Aattavisesham" on Tuesday, the birthday of the last King of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.
The temple will be closed at 10 pm on Tuesday but would reopen for darshan from November 17 for the three months long annual pilgrim season.