Congress slams ‘women wall’ protest

The Congress yesterday condemned the ‘women wall’ protest from Kasargode to the Kerala capital announced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for January 1.

“This ‘women wall’ will only help to polarise communities and compartmentalise people in the name of caste,” Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told the media. “What is even more strange is that this was decided at a meeting of representatives with dozens of Hindu social organisations where the Chief Secretary was also present. Vijayan should see that this is not a state-sponsored programme.”

Saturday’s meeting was an attempt to garner support following recent protests by Hindu groups in Kerala over the entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala temple after a Supreme Court verdict.

Vijayan sent out invites to more than 150 social groups, of which around 70 took part. It was decided that the purpose of the ‘women wall’ would be ‘not to turn Kerala into a lunatic asylum’.

“Vijayan should release minutes of the meeting... Reports have surfaced that while Vijayan said all have pledged support for the state government on the stand taken by them on the Sabarimala issue, some leaders who took part later said they disagreed,” added Chennithala.