Chennai: Angry protestors take to streets against entry of women

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], Oct 21 (ANI): Members of Hindu Makkal Katchi on Sunday protested in front of the Chennai's Anna Ayyappa temple against the entry of women inside Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
Blindfolded and holding placards, protestors raised slogans against women of the prohibited age group, who tried to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple.
One of the protestors said, "They are not clean. They spoiled the sanctity of celibacy of Lord Ayyappa. They are not devotees and have come to the temple only for publicity."
Earlier in the day, two more women, who were on their way to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, were brought to the police control room in Kerala's Pamba after they were stopped by the devotees from visiting the holy shrine.
They were stopped by the agitators when they were attempting to climb the hill at Pamba.
Despite the Supreme Court verdict allowing females of all age groups to visit the Sabarimala temple, devotees have been protesting against their entry to the place of worship.
It has been five days since the doors of the shrine opened for the first time after the apex court's verdict, but not a single female between the age group of 10-50 years has been able to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple.
Security near the Sabarimala Temple has been stepped up following the volatile situation over the last few days after a few women unsuccessfully tried to enter the shrine with police protection. (ANI)