Ahead of Sabarimala pilgrimage, radicals may whip up religious sentiments

CM will have to tread cautiously lest the Hindutva outfits manage to whip up the religious sentiments of people into a frenzy

The landmark verdict of the Supreme Court on Sabarimala, allowing the entry of women of all age groups to the temple, has set off a chain reaction in Kerala. Although the verdict was largely along expected lines, it was met with sporadic protests by Ayyappa devotees in the state. The furore was expected to die down but has since been hijacked by Hindutva outfits. In a clear volte-face from their stated position, the BJP (and its feeder organisations) have been mobilising people across the state against the implementation of the apex court order. The state unit of the Congress too