Activist Trupti Desai's visit to Sabarimala aborted, to return to Pune

Trupti said she would return to Pune by a flight scheduled at night.

Trupti Desai agreed to return following stiff protests by devotees led by right-wing activists earlier in the day.

Keralite activist Bindu Ammini was attacked with chilli powder by one of the protestors.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Devaswom Board Kadakompally Surendran and Minister for Law A K Balan have alleged a conspiracy behind the activists' plan to visit the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

The activists decided to visit the hill shrine based on the Supreme Court Verdict of Sept 28 which had lifted the ban on women of the menstruating age group from visiting the temple.

Kerala government last year had taken a firm stand to implement the verdict and two women, including Bindu Ammini, were given police protection to visit the temple despite violent protests by Sangh Parivar groups.

However, this time the state government has decided not to implement the verdict for now after the apex court recently referred a batch of review applications against its previous order to a larger bench.

Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, said the atmosphere of peace should prevail in Sabarimala.

Board President N Vasu said "Pilgrims are visiting the temple without facing any hurdle. This situation has to prevail," he said.

Image credit: UNI