Sabarimala row: Pattern of protests similar to Babri Masjid demolition - Sitaram Yechury targets RSS

Amid ongoing protests and tense moments at Sabarimala, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri on Friday hit-out at RSS and said that the pattern of protest is similar to what was during Babri Masjid demolition.

Kerala has been witnessing massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple since the government decided to implement the apex court order.

The devotees had intensified the agitation at the shrine complex and nearby areas including the base camps, Nilackal and Pamba, since the shrine was opened for the five-day monthly puja on October 17. 

Speaking to media, Sitaram Yechuri said, "All the TV crews who went there which had women were roughed up. The pattern is very similar to the time of the Babri Masjid demolition. You have the heads of the volunteers wearing saffron bands, the same dress you found there then."

Stating that similar thing is being done here (Sabarimala), Yechury said, "It is an organized thing that the RSS is doing. RSS has lost the battle of not letting the gates of Sabarimala open, they even lost the battle that the temple shouldn't open on time."

Earlier in the day, two women reached the hilltop but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum following massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees.

A large number of devotees blocked the young women and police team escorting them at Valiya Nadappandhal, the queue complex located a few metres away from the holy 'pathinettam padi' (the 18 sacred steps), leading to the sanctum sanctorum.

The women were identified as a reporter from Hyderabad in her late 20s and an activist from Kerala.

The tension was defused after the women agreed to return as the state government made it clear it did not want to take them to the Sannidhanam, the temple complex, by using force against the protesting devotees.

The firm stand taken by the 'tantri' (head priest) that he would close the temple if the women were escorted into the sanctum sanctorum also persuaded them to return as per instructions of the police.

Though the women had earlier insisted they should reach the shrine, police later convinced them about the gravity of the situation and conveyed the stand taken by the government and the head priest.

Meanwhile, the Centre has asked the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to tighten security in view of the continuing protests against the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women of all age groups to Sabarimala temple.

(With agency inputs)