Historic day looms as Sabarimala temple to open doors for women. LIVE UPDATES HERE

Update at 5:28 PM: Section 144 imposed at: 

• Nilakkal
• Pamba
• Sannidhanam

Update at 4:55 PM: Women blocked from entering even as Sabarimala Temple gates open

Update at 4:42 PM: Clashes break out at Pamba Base Camp

Update at 4:04 PM: I suppose that the attack had happened at Nilakkal. In the morning I was there at Nilakkal around 9. I have seen the situation. I went to Sannidhanam for a meeting. The meeting was called by the minister. I was there till 1-1:30. I will be going back there and we will be filing cases. I will be reporting all the attacks on the journalist to the government and find a way out. This should be condemned: District Collector

Update at 3:58 PM: We are with the believers. Unlike Congress which says they are with them but instead sits at home, we are on the streets with the believers: BJP Kerala

Update at 2:45 PM: Senior MHA officials spoke to state chief secy and Dgp. They told them to maintain law and order. Dgp has conveyed to MHA that FIR against unknown individuals protesters has been registered and they will be intimating arrests soon.

Update at 2:24 PM:  

Update at 12:57 PM: Shocking incident witnessed at Nilakkal as mob of almost 100 people resort to violence and attack Republic TV's crew, including South India bureau chief Pooja Prasanna. Read all about it here - Republic TV's Pooja Prasanna Surrounded And Attacked By 100-strong Mob At Nilakkal Enroute Sabarimala

Update at 11:59 AM: Masked men attack Republic TV's Pooja Prasanna, smash car and attack crew.

Update at 11:45 AM: Mob of nearly 100 attack Republic TV's Pooja Prasanna.

Update at 11:43 AM: Republic TV's South India bureau chief Pooja Prasanna blocked, attacked by protestors. Republic TV's car smashed, equipment stolen.

Update at 11:39 AM:  RSS, BJP need to obey the Supreme court or fight in the parliament. Bjp need to call house. But BJP doing vote bank politics: Sitaram Yechury

Update at 11:36 AM: Protest turns violent at Pamba base camp, with private vehicles getting vandalised. 

Update at 11:12 AM: Protestors form human barricade at Pamba base camp to block women. Police trying to pacify the situation by talking to the protestors

Update at 10:41 AM: Will obey the Supreme Court verdict. We will manage the situation. 

Update at 10:29 AM: BJP stage massive protest at Pathanamthitta. Erstwhile, protestors threaten devotees, block entry of women government officials andcops at Pandalam

Update at 10:13 AM: BJP MP Subramaniam Swamy questions all those who are against women's entry into Sabarimala temple.

Update at 10:05 AM: Protest at Pathanamthitta bus stand, where a pilgrim has been detained. Media is being targeted and devotees are also being threatened.

Update at 9:30 AM: Trouble makers will be arrested. Sabarimala is safe. No one can be stopped from entering the temple: Kerala DGP 

 

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At the stroke of 5 pm on Wednesday, history will be created and India will take a small step towards gender equality, when women of all age groups will walk through the doors of Sabarimala temple alongside men.

The much needed move to allow women to enter the holy temple was given a go-ahead by Supreme Court in September, when a five-judge bench in a 4:1 judgment pronounced that female gender of all ages should be allowed to visit the temple. Previously, women from age group 10 to 50 weren't allowed inside the temple premises.

Many welcomed the decision by the apex court, cheering and expressing their happiness. Though, there have been some who have been aggrieved by the decision of the SC. Devotees of Lord Ayyappa, of both genders, have tried their level best to discourage women from entering the premises of Sabarimala temple.

From peaceful protests to violent protests to threats of suicide to forcing women from their cars, the detractors of SC's historic judgment have tried almost every trick in their locker to stop women from visiting the temple.

The Kerala government has put their weight behind the judgment of apex court, stating anyone intending to visit the temple should not fear, and that the state government will provide complete support to them.