(Image source from: NDTV.com)

Day After Sabarimala Opening, Hindu Groups Call For Kerala Shut Down:- The protests at the Sabarimala temple against the entry of women of menstruating ages are continuing in and around the hilltop shrine, as the temple reopened to the devotees after the Supreme Court verdict on Friday evening.

A rightwing Hindu outfit today has called for a dawn to dusk strike in protest against the arrest of Hindu Aikyavedi KP Sasikala who was on the pilgrimage to Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple.

The holy shrine opened on Friday for a two-month-long pilgrimage season. Around 500 women have enrolled themselves to visit the shrine after the Supreme Court in September allowed the entry of women between 10 and 50 years.

However, no girl or woman in the previously banned age group could offer prayers up to now following strong opposition by devotees and activists, opposing any change in the temple traditions.

On Friday, activist Trupti Desai had to spend an entire day at Kochi airport as she was prevented from leaving the airport by protesters opposing entry of menstrual age women into the Lord Ayyappa shrine. She terminated her attempt after more than 14-hour stand-off.

Sabarimala Karma Samithi has called state-wide shutdown today from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in protest against the arrest of Hindu Aikyavedi state president KP Sasikala at Marakkoottam Friday night. She was going to Sannidhanam and was arrested after she protested when police did not allow her to travel at night.

By Sowmya