Sabarimala row: UDF observes Black Day

Denouncing the entry of two women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple, the opposition, United Democratic Front (UDF), is observing a 'Black Day' in Kerala on Thursday.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, had entered the hill shrine and offered prayers, following which the temple was shut for an hour for 'purification' rituals.

Later in the day, clashes broke out between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha workers and the police after they tried to enter the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. Agitators had gathered in the area to protest against the two women who entered the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Kerala DGP Loknath Behera on Wednesday had said strict action will be taken against those flouting rules of law and order during the bandh called for by some organisations over the entry of two women.

Furthermore, Behera directed all concerned authorities to give special attention to pilgrims so that they remain unaffected.

The Supreme Court had lifted a traditional ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) on September 28 last year.

Despite the apex court's ruling, a string of protests took place at the temple and its surrounding areas in the state, wherein several women attempted to visit the shrine but were stopped by Lord Ayyappa devotees.