Sabarimala Storm Comes Home

The Pinarayi government faces strident protests from Hindu outfits over the Supreme Court verdict

- Jeemon Jacob

Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Front government, which hailed the Supreme Court’s verdict allowing women entry into the Sabarimala temple, finds itself in a bind. Publicly decrying the judgment, several rightwing Hindu groups, which purportedly have the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the custodians of the shrine have launched protests and demanded a review of the verdict before the pilgrimage season begins on November 17.

“The Kerala government will execute the [court’s] order and facilitate the entry of women of all ages to the temple from the forthcoming pilgrimage season,” Vijayan declared after the September 30 verdict. He even convened a meeting of senior state secretaries and police officials to discuss how the court’s order would be executed.