THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands of people took out a massive protest march under the aegis of several Hindu organisations in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Palakkad on Tuesday, against the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age to enter Sabarimala temple.

The protestors demanded retention of old traditions in Sabarimala and held dharna and road blockades, as well. The BJP, which initially favoured women’s entry, also have now come forward to support the protestors. The party is also gearing up to organise mass protests.

A namajapa yatra (yatra chanting ayyappa slokas) led by Pandalam royal family originated from Pandalam Medical Mission premise and ended at Valiyakoyikkal temple.

The yatra or march included mostly men. “They shouted slogans saying it is Pandalam palace and thantri who jointly have to decide on the affairs of Sabarimala temple.

In Kochi, protestors tried to block roads, resulting in tense situation.
Meanwhile, police arrested people who tried to hold protests in Alappuzha.

People from Ayyappa Dharma Samrakshana Sena, People for Dharma, Nair Service Society and the Ready to Wait movement took part in the protest.
The speakers at a public meet at the Pandalam temple premises said that those who filed petition seeking entry of women are not devotees, but women who fought for it in the name of gender equality and not faith.

Meanwhile, Thiruvananthapuram also saw two protest marches held by Hindu groups in Thiruvananthapuram. At 10.30 am, scores of people led by Rahul Easwar's Ayyappa Dharma Sena and other Hindu groups walked from the Hanuman temple in East Fort to the Palayam Martyr’s column.

Easwar spoke against Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising, who had appeared for the petitioners challenging the practice.

"There is proof with me that the central government has frozen foreign funds to Indira Jaising's NGO. Someone using foreign funds and then arguing this case - she is not doing it for the love of women. These people are trying to destroy temples, places of worship, and destroy culture," he claimed

"We respect the Supreme Court. We will not stop the feminists and other women who come to the temple with our hands. We will not push them. But prepare yourselves for they can only go to inside temple by stomping our hearts. We should be there on 17th evening when the temple opens." he spoke loudly to the gathering.
The second protest in Thiruvananthapuram was led by the Antharashtra Hindu Parishad at 11 am and it started from Killipaalam.
"The government and anti-Hindu powers are behind this attitude. Just like Rajiv Gandhi brought an ordinance to help Muslims in the Shah Bano Begum case, just like there was an ordinance for Jallikattu, let there be one now to protect Hindu worship centres," AHP state secretary said.

During the protests, a woman called Ambili from Kottayam, doused her body with petrol and threatened to set herself on fire, demanding protection for Hindus. She was whisked away by the police, and taken to hospital.