Activist Moves SC, Seeks Protection to Women Entering Sabarimala

The Supreme Court decided to refer the Sabarimala case to a larger, seven-judge bench.

(Photo: PTI)

Activist Bindu Ammini, one of the first women to enter Sabarimala temple in January this year, filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Monday, 2 December, seeking its directions to the Kerala government to ensure safe passage of women to the shrine.

The petition also sought the top court's directions to the state government to give wide publicity of its judgment.

It also sought immediate cessation of age verification and counselling done by the state officials at the behest of State of Kerala, discouraging women of menstruating age from visiting Sabarimala.

In the petition, Ammini also sought to initiate appropriate proceedings against any state officials or private individuals who act in defiance of the orders of the top Court.

The Supreme Court did not overturn its earlier ruling on the Sabarimala temple, allowing women between the ages of 10 and 50 to visit the shrine, but referred it to a larger 7-judge Constitutional Bench for review which would look at other petitions of similar kinds.

Ammini, along with another woman Kanaka Durga, had on 2 January, entered the Sabarimala temple post the SC order in September 2018.

However, after the SC's verdict, the Kerala government had changed its stance on facilitating women and said it would not provide any police protection unless the court asked them to.

On 26 November, Ammini was alo attacked with pepper spray while she was on her way to the temple along with Pune-based activist Trupti Desai.

One of the protesters had reportedly said, “You will not go to Sabarimala from here,” and went on to accuse her of being a naxal.