Kochi (VSK).
What happened in Sabarimala during late 2018 and early 2019 is still a nightmare for the Keralites in general and Ayyappa devotees in particular. They were the days of CPM-led LDF regime’s 24 x 7 efforts to shatter the rituals and traditions in Sabarimala hence the faith of crores of believers. The very tenet of Sabarimala tradition which does not permit women of the age between 10 and 50 underwent the worst sort of challenge from the state-sponsored atheists and women activists with shady backgrounds. It is too early for crores of our countrymen, living within and out of Bharat, to forget those atrocities. When most of the ‘free and impartial’ media played hide and seek during those dark days, Malayalam TV channel Janam, Malayalam daily Janmabhumi, VSKBharat (Digital) and “Organiser” (both print and online) were the only sources of right information from Sabarimala.
‘Neethi Evide’ (Where is Justice?), the Malayalam autobiography of A. Hemachandran IPS, retired DGP, exposes the key revelations in connection with LDF government’s attempt to shatter the age-old traditions at Sabarimala temple. Retired DGP was a member of the high-power monitoring committee appointed by the Kerala Court during the devotees’ agitation in 2018-2019.
In his book, the former DGP says that the government submitted a report in the High Court showing devotees who agitated against the violation of traditions as religious fundamentalists. He also accused, the government supported the move to break the age-old traditions and rituals at Sabarimala. LDF government gave total support and VIP treatment to women who came for the same purpose.
A. Hemachandran says that the police beat up the devotees in most inhuman and brutal manner at Nilackal for paving the way for women to reach Pamba. The police made arrangements for these women to reach Pamba. Manithi Sangam, a group of activist women from Tamil Nadu, got special treatment from police. They tried to enter the holy shrine violating the customs existing there.
The book says that reckless restrictions during the Sabarimala devotees’ agitation had offended the devotees and hurt their sentiments. Even many police officers were unhappy too with the incidents occurred at Sabarimala those days. The book also blames the government for trying to break the traditions and customs of Sabarimala for personal interests.
The book says, the all-out support the police gave to the Manithi Sangam, the team of women, to enter Sabarimala shrine made the situation worse. The “special protection” gave to Manithi Sangam caused huge inconveniences to the devotees who reached there to have Lord Ayyappa’s darshan.
The police protection given to Manithi Sangam created difficulties for the devotees who came to the shrine to pray before Lord Ayyappa. Hemanchandran says, he was not happy about it hence he communicated his dissatisfaction to the then DGP (Law & Order) Loknath Behra IPS. He held the view that Manithi Sangam should not have been given special protection; usual protection was enough. But he got the reply that if special protection was not provided, it would invite ‘contempt of court’.
Police had made large deployment for protecting Manithi Sangam from devotees who were ready to block their entry. It was like a war preparation to combat guerilla fighters. It provoked the devotees’ infuriation further. When the situation turned worse, the Monitoring Committee appointed by the Kerala High Court, intervened.
Former DGP recalls, in his book, he had also informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan direct, about his dissatisfaction with the Police policy implemented in Sabarimala. But, the report, the police submitted before the CM was against Hemachandran’s perspective. Obviously, Pinarayi Vijayan did not accept his arguments.
Hemachadran says, the police force failed in Sabarimala issue. Still, they called devotees as ‘religious fundamentalists’ in the report they submitted before the High Court.
In another words, the book vindicates the allegations Sabarimala Karma Samiti, RSS, VHP, BJP and Hindu Aikyavedi raised those days. Hindu organisations still reminisce Chandran Unnithan of Karimpala, Pathanamthitta District, who died as a concrete piece fell on his head while he was participating in a Prayer March, organised by Sabarimala Karma Samiti, to protest against the attempts to break the traditions in Sabarimala temple. Hindu organisations had alleged that it was due to stone pelting from atop the CPM office in Pandalam while March was walking past that spot. Those days, reports regarding post mortem confirmed head injuries as cause of death. But, the same time reports suggested that Chief Minister told, Unnithan died of heart attack.
In October, 2018, 250 strong police force had escorted two women activists to the temple, but they could not enter the shrine, thanks to the protests from the devotees. At last, two women, escorted by police force, during the wee hours of January 2, 2019, entered the shrine. They did not take the usual path of 18 sacred steps, but entered through the rear gate leaving the protesting devotees unaware. And, Chief Minister reportedly wondered with a laugh, during the chat with the media persons, if there no hartal against it. Hindu organisations pictured it as an attempt to ridicule them.
