Trupti Desai to return at 9:30 pm
Kochi: The Kerala high court Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of activist Rehana Fathima, who had made an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple when the shrine was opened for monthly puja in October after the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age group of 10 and 50 into the Lord Ayyappa shrine. Amid unrelenting protests by devotees and political workers, over 15,000 policemen are posted in and around Sabarimala and teams of commandos and disaster response personnel are on standby.
This is the third time the shrine is opening since the apex court lifted the age-old ban on entry of women in 10-50 age group, though no girl or woman pilgrim in the age group could offer prayers so far following stiff resistance by devotees and activists, opposing any change in the temple traditions. NDTV delivers reliable information across all platforms: TV, Internet and Mobile.
"We have come here to protest".
"Police told us that they'll provide us security the next time we visit".
After a tense stand-off that lasted over 14 hours at the Cochin global airport late into Friday evening, gender equality activist Trupti Desai and six other women chose to return without offering prayers at the Sabarimala temple in the face of unrelenting protest that gained in intensity over the hours.
Women's Rugby World Cup hosting rights a win for the game
The 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand with the final due at Eden Park , which will be the biggest venue to stage a women's final.
The decision for sending the women back crystallised around 6.30 p.m. following sustained efforts by the police, airport, revenue, and Central Industrial Security Force authorities to convince Ms. Desai of the seemingly insurmountable odds against exiting the airport and continuing the onward journey to Sabarimala.
The Board that had earlier refused to file a review petition in the top court, however, softened its position after a meeting of its members to take stock of the situation arising out of the court order. She won't be allowed to step inside the temple before that.
The group was blocked from leaving for Sabarimala from Nedumbassery Airport in Kochi, as a large number of devotees staged a "nama japam " protest clapping hands and chanting "Swamiye Ayyappa".
Desai said police had advised her group not to leave the airport because of safety concerns, but vowed not to abandon plans to enter Sabarimala, the hill temple about 155 km away that is at the center of the conflict, on Saturday. Desai claimed that taxi drivers at the airport have been warned not to offer her a ride. She informed the plice that she is ready to go back by the 9 30 pm flight.
The Pune-based activist said police have asked her to return and she would announce her decision later.
Related:
-
Ronald Koeman says Netherlands have taken enormous steps after France win
They crashed out of the World Cup early as defending champions and their struggles continued into the UEFA Nations League. We played well from the beginning to the end. "It shows that we have a bright future, we have to continue like this".Protectionism 'Doomed To Failure': China's Xi Says In Swipe At US
Pence began his speech by saying the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific had never been stronger. But Pence made it clear that the United States would not back down.Kim Kardashian Jokingly Threatens to Cut Tristan Thompson
At the time, reports claimed that Tristan had been cheating on Khloe with multiple women while she was still pregnant. Kim rushed to meet her sister and support her in the delivery room along with their mother, Kris Jenner . -
Sub found after disappearing a year ago with 44 aboard
The judge heading the case has so far heard testimony from 70 people but says she is no closer to knowing what happened. The loss of the San Juan is the first major tragedy to hit the navy since the Falklands War in 1982.Blood pressure medication recall due to cancer concerns
The FDA said it will continue to test all products containing valsartan and similar drugs for the presence of impurities. According to an FDA, the product is being recalled due to the trace amount of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA).Could the oil Industry in India See Higher Profits?
One of the issues for Indian oil companies is their requirement to sell below market to subsidize prices in their home country. The US pulled out of the agreement earlier this year as President Trump claimed he was looking for a better deal. -
China hotels red-faced after dirty cleaning practices revealed
In several clips, workers in bathrooms wipe down sinks, coffee cups and glasses with the same used towel. Meanwhile, Waldorf Astoria in Shanghai and Sheraton in Guiyang tendered an apology , The Sun reported.Japan's cybersecurity tsar admits he has never touched a computer
According to the Japan Times this is not the first time Sakurada has been in hot water. Ministers in Japan nearly always get parliamentary questions in advance.Grassley To Leave Judiciary Committee For Finance, Clearing Way For Graham
Grassley said he would not be "in the forefront with Flake advocating that the leader do so and so" but that he wouldn't be opposed to the bill's passing either. -
Government moves to curb rising cases of resistances to antibiotics
Meanwhile, Iceland - which has a population smaller than Bristol's - will suffer only 40 deaths because of antibiotic resistance, also known as antimicrobial resistance.'Fundamental reform' of United Kingdom land needed to combat climate change
"With regard to land use, the CCC is absolutely right about the need for fundamental reform to ensure land becomes a more effective carbon store ".Sanitary worker dies tragically in Gaja Cyclone relief works
Gaja had triggered heavy to very heavy rains across the state, however winds could be associated more with the damage done. The severe cyclonic storm is very likely to move almost westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm later Friday.