Women Entry  

The Sabarimala verdict has been referred to a larger bench by the Supreme Court. The 2018 saw a 4:1 split verdict but the November 14 saw a 3:2 split verdict with Justice JY Chandrachud and Justice Nariman expressing dissent. 

 

Protests against the entry of women in the Sabarimala temple turned violent after the CPI(M) and the BJP protesters fought in Thiruvananthapuram.  Four police officials were injured as bombs were hurled.

 
 

Pinarayi Vijayan's move to let women enter Sabarimala in the middle of the night through the back door is a cowardly act. Devaswom Board is anti-Hindu. But the Ayyappa devotees have a two-way approach to fight this legally.
 

While the Congress changed its stand recently and began supporting the protesters, the CPI(M) and JD(S) leaders have ignored the age-old custom that has defined this shrine.

Actor Thulasi makes a controversial statement on the Sabarimala verdict while speaking at an NDA rally in Kollam, Kerala. 

Women of all ages should be allowed in Kerala's renowned Sabarimala temple, the Supreme Court ordered recently, ending the age-old ban.

Hundreds of women protested against the Sabarimala verdict in Chennai
 

The major challenge before the police is crowd management in the upcoming season at Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. 

The central leaders of the Congress support the Supreme Court verdict. But on the contrary, party leaders of the state are planning on launching a hunger strike against the verdict.

Participants in the campaign in Kerala say that they will not donate to the Sabarimala shrine anymore because Hindu places of worship are under Kerala government's control. Many deposit in the hundi paper slips with the message 'Neethi tharanam Ponnu Swamiye' (give justice, Lord Ayyappa)

The Board has also planned to set up a new 'viripandal' (dormitory), which can accommodate at least 10,000 people, considering the influx of women devotees.