Dozens Arrested Around Flashpoint Indian Temple
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published November 19, 2018 | 01:21 PM
Indian police arrested 68 people taking part in protests around a controversial Hindu temple ahead of a Supreme Court ruling Monday on whether it should be given more time to let women enter.
Pamba, India, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Nov, 2018 ) :Indian police arrested 68 people taking part in protests around a controversial Hindu temple ahead of a Supreme Court ruling Monday on whether it should be given more time to let women enter.
The Sabarimala temple in the southern state of Kerala has become a major battleground between Hindu radicals and gender activists.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims have thronged to the hilltop shrine since it reopened Friday amid unprecedented security.
"We arrested 68 devotees after overnight protests around Sabarimala," V.N Saji, assistant commissioner of Kerala police, told AFP.
The region has been increasingly tense with Hindu organisations and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposing the Supreme Court order to let women in the temple. There have been several protests and strikes.
Many pilgrims going to Sabarimala have also complained about restrictions on their movement during the new clampdown.
The Kerala government sent thousands of police to the region fearing a repeat of pitch battles between devotees and security forces in October, when the temple first reopened after the Supreme Court ordered the lifting of a longstanding ban on women of "menstruating age" between the ages of 10 and 50.
The ban reflected an old but still prevalent view in some areas that connects menstruation with impurity in Hinduism.
Police said many of those arrested late Sunday had been protesting against a ban on spending the night on the hilltop around the temple.
Media showed images of shirtless devotees -- following the pilgrimage tradition -- chanting mantras as they faced off with police.
About 700 women have registered to pray at the temple over coming weeks however none has yet made it to the hilltop.
Protesters stopped one leading woman activist from leaving the state's main airport to get to Sabarimala.
The board which manages Sabarimala temple will on Monday ask the Supreme Court for more time to admit women, citing a lack of infrastructure.
In January, the country's highest court will also hear challenges to its decision tolift the ban on women.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From World
-
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 21 dead
1 hour ago -
Tesla profits tumble 55% as EV sales under pressure
1 hour ago -
Talks on global plastic treaty begin in Canada
2 hours ago -
Migrant deportations loom after parliament passes UK-Rwanda plan
2 hours ago -
Macron in last-ditch bid to halt EU vote battering
3 hours ago -
Ukraine moves to bring military-aged men home to fight
4 hours ago
-
Asia hit hardest by climate change, extreme weather: UN weather agency
4 hours ago -
Muscles and masterpieces: Louvre offers Olympic sport sessions
4 hours ago -
Migrant boat capsizes off Djibouti leaving 16 dead
4 hours ago -
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
6 hours ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
6 hours ago -
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
6 hours ago