SP Manju (38), the Kerala Dalit Mahila Federation President, has abandoned her attempt to visit Sabarimala after being denied the special security cordon. Inspector General Sreejith had said the heavy rain in Sabarimala made it very difficult for his team to attempt the trek and this was conveyed to Manju.
Manju, who has allegedly been named in as many as 14 criminal cases decided to head back home a short while later.
Earlier, Manju had met the police officers at the Pampa station and sought protection, saying that she wanted to pay darshan to Lord Ayyappa.
The intelligence department then began verifying her antecedents before senior officers finally decided that they can't throw the special security cordon around her "because of the heavy rain".
Manju hails from Chathnoor in Kollam. She had come dressed in traditional attire and was carrying the irumudi kettu, consisting of coconut, camphor, incense stick, row rice and flowers, according to reports. She had insisted that her visit was as a devotee wanting to have a darshan of Lord Ayyappa and not as an activist.
IG Sreejith addresses the media and tells that the decision to not escort Manju was made because of the heavy rain. Both Pamba and Sannidhanam are being lashed by heavy rain and it is going to be difficult to provide her the required security cover, he says.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Manju has decided to head back home.:
It is emerging that Manju (38) who wished to go to Sabarimala has been denied the security cordon for now since she has criminal cases pending against her, according to initial reports.
There are as many as 14 cases pending against her and the status and nature of these cases need to be confirmed is what the intelligence department is now insisting on, these reports are saying.
Our reporter at Sabarimala Anil Kumar T reports that the rain has intensified again.
Salim, who is running a hotel at Sannidhanam, has been worried the last three days. He had invested Rs 1.71 crore in the recent tender to get the rights of operating his hotel for the next one year.
After earning over Rs 1 lakh a day in the last year, he is now struggling to find money to meet the day-to-day expenses of the hotel. This includes the salary of his employees.
All of this happened due to the drop in the number of devotees making their way to the Sannidhanam after the Supreme Court's verdict to allow the entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala.
"We are really worried about this season. The controversial order has stopped people from entering the hill shrine. If we could have earned over Rs 1 lakh in a day in the last year we are now getting nearly Rs 30000 per day (now). The Supreme court's order has made the devotees to step back. They are really scared of visiting Sabarimala. The agitation that took place at Nilakkal has stopped people from coming here," Salim told Express.
Earlier in the day, 52-year-old Latha from TN was stopped on her way to the shrine after devotees suspected that she was younger than 50. Latha had to furnish proofs before she was finally allowed to go in for a darshan.
The rain is less intense now. But the decision on how to escort Manju to the shrine and when is yet to be made, say reporters. The big question before the police is whether 100 cops will be enough. There are more devotees on Saturday than on Day 3 and this has led to deliberations on whether more cops will be needed, according to those on the ground.
Manju will be the fifth lady to make an attempt since the Supreme Court ruled that women of all ages must be allowed into the hill shrine. The previous four - New York Times journalist Suhasini Raj, Mojo TV's Kokila Jakkal, activist Rehana Fatima and 46-year-old Mary Sweety had all been made to return. Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said he will react to the latest attempt only after finding out details.
The rain has become intense. But it is being said that the police and Manju might brave the rain and head towards the shrine anytime now. Manju has said that she has come as a devotee wanting a darshan of Lord Ayyappa, not as an activist.
