Social activist Trupti Desai on Wednesday, 2 January, hailed the entry of two women in their mid-forties into the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala in Kerala, stating it is a "victory of equality".
Desai was forced to return from the Kochi airport when she arrived to offer prayers at Sabarimala with six young women, following "nama japam" (chanting of Ayyappa hymns) protests by devotees and right-wing outfits for 13 hours on 16 November.
‘Historic Day For Us’
The Bhumata Brigade founder said she was happy to hear that two women in their mid-forties had managed to reach the “sannidhanam” (temple complex) and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa and congratulated their effort.
Today is a historic day for us. During the mandala puja season, many women were stopped. There was a tense atmosphere in Sabarimala. This is a big victory for our agitation. It is a victory of equality. This is a good beginning for women in the new year.Activist Trupti Desai
"Those against women's entry had openly thrown a challenge that no women in the 10-50 age group will be able to reach the 'sannidhanam'. Their agitation has now failed", the right to pray campaigner said.
She said that temple authorities should allow women of all age groups to offer prayers at the Ayyappa shrine.
Young women who have done online booking should also be allowed to go to the shrine and pray there, she said.
Trupti Desai said she would not be able to visit the shrine before 20 January when it closes as there would be a rush of pilgrims during that time and due to her prior programmes as well. But, she added that she would go there the next time the shrine reopens.
Desai, who had spearheaded the campaign for women to be allowed into various religious places, including the Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, had sought protection to reach Sabarimala and had sent an email to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking security.
The two women entered the Ayyappa temple in the early hours of Wednesday, 2 January, and offered their prayers.
Confirming their entry, the chief minister told reporters, "It is a fact that the women have entered the temple".
Despite the Supreme Court's verdict on 28 September last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the “barred” group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by a section of devotees and some right-wing outfits.
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