Efforts to block women into India temple stepped up

Hindu hardliners blocked intersections, threatened drivers, threw stones at buses and ordered a 12-hour strike yesterday as they stepped up their campaign to bar women from one of India's holiest temples, reports AFP from Nilackal. The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in the southern state of Kerala was meant to allow women from Wednesday following an order by India's highest court last month.

But hundreds of traditionalists, throwing stones at baton-wielding police, defied the order -- surrounding and shouting at any woman attempting to make it to the hilltop site. Angry young men also surrounded and smashed the car windows of female television reporters and threatened others, including an AFP reporter. Another female correspondent was kicked. The activists blocked the path and shouted at another female journalist on Thursday.

Overnight local Hindu groups declared a 12-hour shutdown of local businesses, telling drivers that their vehicles would be attacked if they took anyone towards the temple. “Some men came to the parking lot early Thursday and warned taxi drivers against defying the shutdown call,” taxi driver Praveen, in the town of Pathanamthitta, told AFP.

“They warned drivers at several nearby parking lots and hotels. Anyone who defies it will be risking damage to his vehicle,” he added in an account corroborated by other drivers. “No one will get to the temple today because all the drivers are scared for the safety of their cars,” one hotel receptionist told AFP. Shops, businesses and schools in the area were shut.

State authorities have insisted that they will ensure access, imposing restrictions on public gatherings of more than five people that came into force from midnight, and laying on buses for devotees.

Kerala police, who have drafted in hundreds of extra officers, many with helmets and body armour over their khaki uniforms, provided escorts to some buses.

 

Efforts to block women into India temple stepped up

Hindu hardliners blocked intersections, threatened drivers, threw stones at buses and ordered a 12-hour strike yesterday as they stepped up their campaign to bar women from one of Indias holiest temples, reports AFP from Nilackal. The Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in the southern state of Kerala was meant to allow women from Wednesday following an order by Indias highest court last month. But hundreds of traditionalists, throwing stones at baton-wielding police, defied the order -- surrounding and shouting at any woman attempting to make it to the hilltop site. Angry young men also surrounded and smashed the car windows of female television reporters and threatened others, including an AFP reporter. Another female correspondent was kicked. The activists blocked the path and shouted at another female journalist on Thursday. Overnight local Hindu groups declared a 12-hour shutdown of local businesses, telling drivers that their vehicles would be attacked if they took anyone towards the temple. Some men came to the parking lot early Thursday and warned taxi drivers against defying the shutdown call, taxi driver Praveen, in the town of Pathanamthitta, told AFP. They warned drivers at several nearby parking lots and hotels. Anyone who defies it will be risking damage to his vehicle, he added in an account corroborated by other drivers. No one will get to the temple today because all the drivers are scared for the safety of their cars, one hotel receptionist told AFP. Shops, businesses and schools in the area were shut. State authorities have insisted that they will ensure access, imposing restrictions on public gatherings of more than five people that came into force from midnight, and laying on buses for devotees. Kerala police, who have drafted in hundreds of extra officers, many with helmets and body armour over their khaki uniforms, provided escorts to some buses.