Sabarimala row: Police escort 2 women attempting to enter shrine away; priests threaten to shut place of worship

Prayer services in the Sabarimala temple were disrupted on Friday (October 19) with 30 priests boycotting rituals in protest as three women (two journalists and an activist) attempted to enter the temple. They reached within 500 metres with massive police security, but are being taken back. Pandalam Palace Trust (custodians of the temple) wrote to the executive officer in Sabarimala, asking the authorities to shut down the temple if there is any breach in the rituals.