Pathanamthitta: Sabarimala Karma Samithi has called for a hartal in Kerala following the entry of two women into the Ayyappa shrine. It will be a state-wide dawn-to-dusk hartal on  Thursday. 

The two women, who entered Sabarimala on Wednesday, were identified as Bindu from Kozhikode and Kanakadurga from Malappuram.

Also read: Sabarimala temple door reopens after ritualistic purification of Ayyappa shrine

Earlier, on December 24, Bindu and Kanakadurga attempted to visit the shrine for the first time, but were taken back by the police due to security issues. Now the duo said that they had their darshan of the Lord on Wednesday at 3.30 AM.

Many Ayyappa devotees staged a protest on the streets of Kerala, by chanting Ayyappa slogans against the two women, who entered the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday. This incident has earned the wrath of Ayyappa devotees, who have expressed their anger against the women and the state government for breaking the law of the temple tradition that was made hundreds of years ago.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has also offered support to the state-wide hartal. It is also reported that the BJP would observe a two-day protest in the state. The International Hindu Parishad and Hindu Aikya Vedi have also called for a hartal in Kerala on Thursday.

Sabarimala Karma Samithi, in a press conference held in Eranakulam on Wednesday, requested everyone to cooperate with the hartal. They also asked to close shops and not operate vehicles in the state. They also said this protest would continue till the government's rule ends.  

Meanwhile, Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti said they would not cooperate with the hartal. Earlier on December 21,  Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi president T Naseeruddin said in a press conference that 2019 would be observed as an anti-hartal year. The Samithi also decided to hold discussions with political parties seeking support over the hartal issue.

A collective of 26 tourism organisations has decided not to cooperate with hartals. The decision was announced after a meeting was held in the auspices of Kerala Travel Mart Society.