Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala BJP on Sunday (October 28) announced a rath yatra to save the customs and traditions of Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Kerala, raising an objection against the entry of all women into the shrine. This comes just a day after BJP chief Amit Shah extended the party's support to the devotees.

The yatra, organised by the NDA, will begin on November 8 from Kasargod and culminate at Pathanamthitta on November 13. BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai said, addressing the reporters. "The party has decided to continue protests against the arrest of Ayyappa devotees who participated in the agitation over Sabarimala issue."

Shah had on Saturday extended his party's full support to the agitation of Ayyappa devotees across the state while addressing a rally in Kannur.

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BJP workers will observe a one-day fast in front of the DGP office here on October 30.

Attacking the CPI(M)-led LDF government over its decision to implement the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of women of all ages into the hill temple without considering the sentiments of devotees, Pillai said, "It has become a war between believers and atheists."

Meanwhile, a group of prominent personalities including former ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair and former Travancore Devaswom Board president and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee member G Raman Nair joined the BJP in the presence of Amit Shah here on Saturday night.

They were given party membership cards, BJP said in its Facebook post.

Former state director general of police TP Senkumar held a meeting with Shah, it said.

Besides, the post also revealed that the Pandalam royal family members Sasikumar Varma and Narayana Varma had met the BJP Chief and held discussions.

The Ayyappa temple witnessed high drama with around a dozen women between the age group of 10 and 50 being prevented from entering the temple by protesting devotees after the doors were opened for all women between October 17-22, following the apex court judgment.