Kozhikode: While there are many women among the protesters, who hail Sabarimala tradition of not allowing women of menstruating age, there are some who have attempted to enter and faced severe backlash. Addressing this is Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi.

Actor-Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi has said that he will build Ayyappa temple particularly for women. Gopi said requests will be made to the central and state governments for allotting land in Ranni or nearby areas for the purpose.

“If this doesn’t work, the land will be arranged with the cooperation of like-minded persons,” he said, after inaugurating Sri Sankara Charitable Trust at Advaithashramam, Kolathur.

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Suresh Gopi's comments come days after BJP president Amit Shah declared party’s full support to the agitation by the devotees against CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government's decision to implement the Supreme Court order in Sabarimala. The BJP apparently sees the Sabarimala issue as an opportunity to widen its support in the southern state.

The Kerala BJP on Sunday (October 28) announced a rath yatra to save the customs and traditions of Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, protesting against the entry of all women into the shrine. 

The yatra, organised by the NDA, will begin on November 8 from Kasargod and culminate at Pathanamthitta on November 13. Over 2800 Ayyappa devotees have been arrested by the Kerala Police with respect to the Sabarimala issue.