Sabarimala: BJP workers violate orders

Nilakkal/ Chengannur, Dec. 2: Amid charges that the BJP has diluted its agitation against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala temple, some party workers on Sunday defied prohibitory orders at Nilakkal, the pilgrim base camp. Police at Nilakkal stopped eight BJP activists who were on their way to Sabarimala. They then violated the prohibitory orders by squatting on the main road.

Nilakkal/ Chengannur, Dec. 2: Amid charges that the BJP has diluted its agitation against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala temple, some party workers, led by its state general secretary B. Gopalakrishnan, on Sunday defied prohibitory orders at Nilakkal, the pilgrim base camp located about 20 km from the hill shrine.

Police at Nilakkal stopped eight BJP activists, who were on their way to Sabarimala. They violated the prohibitory orders by squatting on road and chanting ‘ swamiye saranam Ayyappa’.

In an unrelated incident, activists of BJP’s youth wing, Yuva Morcha, attempted to wave black flags at chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Mulakkuzha near Chengannur when he was on his way to attend a function. Two people were arrested in connection with this incident, police said.

Five Mahila Morcha activists, who staged ‘ nama japa’ ( chanting of mantras) protest at the chief minister’s programme venue, were also arrested, they said.

The women, who managed to enter the venue, stood up and chanted mantras when Mr Vijayan was about to begin his speech. Police rushed to the spot and removed them from the venue. — PTI