Hyderabad: “I was 18 steps away from the deity but had to return, as priests and children sat in protest at the main gate and threatened to stop the puja,” said Kavitha Jakkal, a journalist from Hyderabad who attempted to enter Sabarimala on Vijayadasami.
Three women on Friday tried to make history but were not allowed to enter the temple. Tension continues at Sabarimala. Ms Kavita said she had walked 5 km to reach Nadapanthal (18 steps to Sannidhanam) at about 11 am. “We returned to the guest house where Intelligence Bureau IG Sreejith advised us to go back.
Keeping in mind the safety of the children, the devotees from Kochi and I stepped back, but I am very proud that I could reach to a point 500 meters away from lord Ayyappa,” she said.
The 24-year-old journalist reached Kerala on October 16 accompanied by three male colleagues. The crew of four, while traveling in a hired car, was accosted by two bikers and four cars midway on day one.
“The mob pelted stones and gheraoed our van as they identified a women sitting inside, I was wearing a black saree, the men demanded that I change my dress. We had to leave the place immediately, however, were shaken to see how other journalists were attacked,” she said.
“We did not know the language and neither did they understand Hindi or English. Their intention was to infuse fear and violently drive us away. On day 2, our crew reached Nilakkal at 6 am (5 km from the temple), we took shelter in the car the entire night despite police bandobust. Protestors were hiding in the bushes and attacked anyone they saw. We could not purchase food or attend nature’s call out of fear,” Ms Kavitha told this newspaper.
On the intervening night of October 18, the Kerala police assured Ms Kavitha and the team of protection. For close to 48 hours, the crew from Hyderabad took shelter at the police outpost at Nilakkal.
“On Friday, our journey began from Pamba at 6. 30 am, I was firm about completing my darshan. I was accompanied with a highly equipped battalion of 300 policemen, I was given a bulletproof jacket and a helmet. A majority of the police including myself were emotionally and physically stressed out but continued to walk the 5 km stretch. On our way, a man pelted stones on the police and threatened to commit suicide, and the police took him into preventive custody.
Throughout the hilly terrain the men continued to attack and abuse. Finally, we reached Sannidhanam and 18 steps would take me to the deity. But then, priests of all ages and children were positioned in front. They sat on the left side of the temple gate chanting Ayyappa and threatened to close the gate and stop the puja if I entered,” she said.
IG Sreejit asked Ms Kavitha to return as intelligence reports confirmed of a possible lathicharge and the children’s life would be in danger. “I acquiesced to IG Sreejit request and returned to the guest house. I condemn the way I was restricted. A journalist not being able to discharge her duty is nothing but weakness of the system. Given a chance I will come back to Shabrimala,” she said. I will come back to do my duty,” she said.
