KOZHIKODE: A 28-year-old woman hailing from Kozhikode has alleged police intimidation after she attempted to visit Sabarimala temple.The woman, who preferred anonymity, told Express she had sent a message to IG Manoj Abraham on October 19 expressing her willingness to visit Sabarimala and seeking police protection to go up the hill. “I didn’t get any reply from the officer. But later that day, I got a call from an officer who introduced himself as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). I was asked about my intention to visit Sabarimala.
He asked me to rethink about the decision considering the ongoing protests against the entry of young women at Sabarimala,” the woman said. “This was followed by a call to my father’s phone a few hours later, running a background check on me. They wanted to know if I am an activist and if I am a member of any political party among other things. Police personnel from the nearby police station visited our house next day and cautioned my parents that my visit to Sabarimala will invite serious consequences. My family members are much disturbed and scared by these repeated enquiries by the police,” she said.
The woman said this is not an isolated case. “There are many women devotees like me who wish to go to Sabarimala. We are a group close to 50 members from across the state. We hope to go for pilgrimage to the holy shrine when the temple opens next time. But many of us are tortured by police enquiries and similar procedures. Why are such things done only when women intend to visit Sabarimala?” she asks.
When contacted, ACP (Special Branch) Abdul Wahab V M said: “We are just doing our duty. The state police is making all arrangements to provide protection to all devotees coming to Sabarimala. At the same time, it is our responsibility to prevent law and order issues and any other foul play.”