Confusion over age sparks fresh Sabarimala row

confirmed report (on young women visiting the shrine) so far,” Nooh said.

The Sabarimala temple complex had witnessed high drama and tense moments on Friday, when two women reached the hilltop with heavy police escort, but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum following massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees.

Kerala has been witnessing protests by people opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple since the government decided to implement a Supreme Court order.

Traditionalists have intensi- fied the agitation at the shrine complex and nearby areas, including the base camps, Nilakkal and Pamba, since the temple was opened for the five-day monthly puja on October 17.

On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra, lifted the centuries-old ban on the entry of women between 10 and 50 years into the shrine.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, actor Rajinikanth said there should be no “interference” in temple traditions being followed for a long time. “But when you talk about a temple, every temple has its time honoured rituals, besides traditions being followed for a long time. My humble opinion is that no one should interfere in that,” he said.