Writers, activist plan harmony yatra to Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram: Writers K. P. Ramanunni, Rafeeq Ahamed and social activist Rahul Eashwar will undertake a journey from Kanhangad to Sabarimala for promoting communal harmony. Though the 'Sadbhavana Yatra' was scheduled to begin from Sree Kurumba Temple in Kanhangad on December 27, and conclude on December 30, they have decided to postpone it. Mr Ramanunni said they would announce the  new dates soon. "We felt there was a need for proper planning," he told DC. "Moreover, this time of the year was a very crowded season at Sabarimala."

They would visit prominent places of worship of different faiths like Arakkal mosque, Kannur, Sree Muthappan Temple, Parassinikadavu, Sree Jagannatha Temple, Thalassery, Kuttichira mosque and Thali temple, Kozhikode, Valiya Juma Masjid and Thrikkavu, Ponnani, Sree Krishna Temple, Guruvayur, Cheraman Masjid, Kodungallur and Ernakulathappan Temple, Kochi, and Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala. It will also pass through the Vavar mosque before concluding at Sabarimala temple. People have to form reception committees to welcome the yatra at different points.

Mr Easwar had been in controversy recently after she met and interacted with Hadiya in August. He had said that she had expressed her helplessness and said, “....whatever name you call me, it's okay. Please save me from this place." He also wrote that Hadiya had become a victim of a ‘communal and political tug-of-war’ and is being used to reinforce the extremist agendas. Mr Ramannunni had got an anonymous threat letter warning that his right arm and left leg would be chopped off or will be killed if he didn't convert to Islam within six months after writing an article in a regional daily appealing to Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists to stop fighting each other in the name of religion.