THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP has backed the hartal called by Sabarimala Karma committee against the police action at Sabarimala taken on the attackers. The support was announced by NDA chairman P S Sreedharan Pillai at a press meet held on Wedneday evening. NDA has called for a peaceful hartal. The hartal will commence at 12 am on Thursday (October 18) and will conclude at 12 am on Friday (October 19). Temples hosting Navaratri festivities, Ayyappa devotees and essential services will be exempted from the hartal.