THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court’s direction to provide round the clock security to Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga has given the state government enough reason to scale up security measures against attacks on women attempting to climb the hill shrine.
The apex court’s order has also come as a major relief for women who were on the run fearing attacks from frenzied mobs and even family members. As Ms Bindu put it, “this is a verdict upholding the self-respect and pride of women."
Most women activists were fighting a lonely battle in the face of attacks on their houses, assault and abuse from people masquerading as devotees. Right from Thula masa puja to the mandala makaravilakku season, women who made it to the shrine and those who could not, faced the wrath of the protestors.
The state had witnessed namajapa yatras even to work places of women who on the strength of the Supreme Court verdict attempted to visit Sabarimala temple. Though the government had assured security, these women remained vulnerable to such attacks on the ground.
With the SC now calling for round the clock security, the government will have to scale up security not just of Ms Bindu and Ms Kanakadurga but other women who are facing threat.
A section of dalit activists and dalit outfits had launched a counter campaign against such attacks. Civil society groups had organised a series of programmes in support of the women activists.
