Photo courtesy: The Hindu
It seems the police have dropped their rumored plan to facilitate a group of women activists from ‘Party Villages’ in Kannur to sneak in to Sabarimala disguised as men in violation of age-old traditions. As a part of the operation, journalists, except Janam TV reporters, were asked to vacate Sabarimala. The reason given to them was devotees might attack journalists for “siding with the government”.
Soon after journalists were taken away to Pampa base camp, senior BJP leader K Surendran put out a video clip in which he said there were sinister attempts to vitiate the atmosphere by cops. “Fresh evidence of government’s sinister move to violate Sabarimala traditions has come to the fore. We fear that electricity and internet connections will be cut. We ask every devotee to keep awake and pray. Anything can happen,” Surendran said in the video message.
It is believed that the police have dropped their plan after realizing that it had become public. Sources said they are trying to find out who has leaked the information to Janam TV and BJP leaders.
When top BJP leaders got wind of the plan, efforts were made to alert Prime Minister’s Office, Union Home Ministry and state Governor’s office. Social media and national media were also alerted. In the meanwhile, a group of CPI(M) cadre from Pathanamthitta and nearby areas collected at nadapanthal, portending trouble.
Devotees stayed awake all through the night to foil any attempt by the cops to smuggle activists into Sabarimala. “We were awake. We are peaceful people and ready to sacrifice our lives for Ayyappa. All media outlets have been spreading canards… only Janam TV did factual reporting. The government is trying to destroy Hindu Dharma and its traditions. We are angry and sad that an elected government is trying to bulldoze atheism upon Hindus,” an emotional devotee told Janam TV reporter.
Devotees are not ready lower their guard. “We are peaceful and without arms or weapons. Our only weapon is nama japa. But we will not allow any activist to defile Sabarimala. This is more valuable for us than our lives,” said another devotee, after taking a darshan.
Meanwhile, the government has deployed more police personnel in Sannidhanam and Pampa. Devotees complained that the policemen were intimidating them and their huge presence triggered fear among them.
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