Thiruvananthapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Sabarimala Karma Samithi have decided to conduct an Ayyappa Jyothi programme across the state on December 26. On Sunday, the BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai said that the party would also conduct an awareness programme with its members on the same day regarding issues faced in Sabarimala. 

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It is reported that the Ayyappa Jyothi programme would be held between 6pm to 6:30pm, with an intent to form a human chain along the national highways from Manjeswaram (Kasaragod district) to Parassala (Thiruvananthapuram district).

Pillai said that a lamp (Jyothi) would be lit every two and a half kilometres. Pillai also said to media that the Ayyappa Jyothi is all about love and inclusiveness, not like the women's wall conducted by Pinarayi government which is for separation and hatred. 

It is reported that around 8 lakh devotees would take part in the programme. Pillai also said that no slogans would be raised in the programme and only mantras will be chanted. 

Meanwhile, Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan's government, has initiated a move to form a 'women’s wall' on January 1, starting from Kasargod all the way to Thiruvananthapuram. 

This is a programme initiated by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to seek support on the initiatives undertaken by the government. TM Thomas Isaac, the finance minister, sought people’s help to build the 600-km long human wall. Vijayan has sent out invitations to over 150 social groups. 

The support for the women’s wall, however, seems to be crumbling.

Earlier, Actress Manju Warrier had posted her video on the Facebook page of the women's wall, expressing her support. In the video, she said that renaissance values should be protected, and that man-woman equality is necessary. She urged Kerala to move forward stating that she was all for the women's wall. Later she withdrew her support through another Facebook post. In the post, she said that she was unaware of the political colour of the programme that was initiated.

Kerala Congress MLA PC George has also said that he firmly believes that women with some sense of decency would not take part in the state government’s women's wall movement. On Saturday, George expressed this view during his inaugural speech at the main conference of Sabarimala Samrakshana Samithi at Kannanallur in Kollam district.