For the last couple of days, Selvi Mano – the Chennai-based lawyer who led a group of 11 women from Tamil Nadu to the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala on 23 December – has been called many names. From a ‘Christian stooge’ to ‘links with Zakir Naik’, internet trolls have been working round-the-clock to target the lawyer.
But Mano, who is the face of the women’s rights group ‘Manithi’, is undeterred. In a telephonic interview, Mano tells The Quint about her group’s plan to visit Sabarimala, the role of Kerala Police in protecting the group, and the way activists supported the women devotees who wanted to visit the temple.
According to Mano, Manithi's decision to visit the Sabarimala was not a spur of the moment decision.
“Yes, (it was) after the Supreme Court verdict. Our people in Manithi – which is a common platform for women – discussed if we should go to the Sabarimala shrine. Others asked what is the need for Manithi to go to the Sabarimala shrine.”Selvi Mano
‘Wrote to Police, Asked for Permission’
A decision was taken that the group would stand up for women’s rights, irrespective of the backlash it would receive. When the dates were finalised, the group wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asking for police protection to enter the shrine.
“We emailed the CM and we got a reply from the deputy CM, saying, ‘Please forward your email to the concerned police officer and they will take the necessary step.’ We got permission from the Additional General of Police and the SP of Kottayam as we were (supposed) to gather in Kottayam.”Selvi Mano
According to the lawyer-activist, the police even asked them to travel by road instead of train, fearing protests by right-wing groups. While Manithi’s initial plan was to go to Kottayam, the police also advised them against it.
“They made us go to Pamba. They said that it was not safe for us to get to Kottayam. In Kottayam, our fellow devotees and fellow supporters are there. So, they (supporters) will give us enough protection that is enough for us also.”Selvi Mano
“When we reached there, and were getting all the rituals... at that time, they (police) gave us full hope that they will make us enter the shrine,” Mano said.
Protesters Did Not Attack the Group
As Mano and her group gathered outside the Sabarimala shrine, around 30-40 protesters gathered around them and forbade them from entering the temple. Soon, Mano said, the police too “changed their tune” and said that it was not safe for the women to enter the shrine.
“We said that only a few members were there. Only 30 members, you can (help us enter). If the police want to get us (inside the shrine), they can. There are only a few members, we argued,” Mano said, adding that the police refused to budge.
When asked if the protesters had tried to attack the group, Mano said that they were only raising the ‘sharana ghosham’ (slogan praising lord Ayyappa) and did not show “signals” of attacking.
“Whatever background we have, these people are real devotees. Any Ayyappa bhakt won’t do these things to stop one more Ayyappa bhakt because, according to Ayyappa, whether male or female, to the God, all are same. All are God’s children only, no?”Selvi Mano
Are Activists Merely Trying to Make a Point?
When asked about allegations that activists were simply trying to make a point after the Supreme Court allowed women’s entry into the temple, Mano said that not all activists had tried to enter the shrine. Many of them were merely there to support the devotees, she said.
“I want to reveal two points on this thing. One is – for the last four-five years, the 40 days fasting (norm) etc are broken by these men. If it is applicable to male devotees, it can be applicable to female devotees also. But our devotees did fasting – some (for) four days, some (for) seven days, and they took the Sabarimala mala. Because of the threats, they decided to take the irrumudi (an offering to Ayyapa) from the Ganapati temple at Pamba,” said Mano.
‘Kerala CM Must Directly Assure Women Devotees’
The lawyer-activist also said that the Manithi group has sought an appointment with the Kerala chief minister to explain their ordeal at the Sabarimala shrine.
“We will wait for some months. But the CM has to give a promise that he will directly ensure that the devotees enter the Sabarimala shrine,” said Mano.
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