VIJAYAWADA: Ayyappa devotees in and around Vijayawada have taken to social media to campaign for ‘Save Sabarimala Tradition’. The devotees, supported by Hindu Dharmika Parishad, will stage a massive demonstration at Dharna Chowk on Wednesday, opposing the SC verdict allowing women between 10 and 50 years to enter the temple.
Speaking to TNIE on Monday, Sri Dharma Sanstha Seva Samithi chairperson K Venugopal rued the apex court’s decision. The move will affect the sanctity of the presiding deity Swamy Ayyappa, who is a ‘Naishtika Brahmachari’. In all, around 10 lakh devotees from Andhra Pradesh visit the Sabarimala every year out of which one lakh devotees are from Vijayawada alone, he said.
Disclosing the details of the protest, Venugopal said, “Around 20,000 Ayyappa devotees are likely to to raise their voice against SC’s verdict. At present, a Joint Action Committee has been formed with devotees and believers of Lord Ayyappa to draft an action plan for staging a protest at the Pamba base camp from November 16, if the SC does not deliver a verdict in our favour,” he said.
“We only want to protect the sanctity of Sabarimala temple, not for grabbing political attention. In our endeavour, we are acquiring support from like-minded organisations such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh,” Venugopal said. Presently, irrespective of political affiliations, YSRC leader and former minister K Parasarthy, former MLA Vellampalli Srinivas and Gannavaram TDP MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan have extended support for the demonstration on Wednesday, he added.
Asked whether they are planning for any rally, Venugopal said “Police have denied permission to us for organising a rally. In case we do get permission, we will take out a rally from railway station to Dharna Chowk to end in a meeting.”