Chaos at Sabarimala: 68 Arrested, Protesters Roaring, and Women on a Mission
Sort of a Holy Mix‑Up
Okay, so picture this: a hilltop shrine in Kerala, the Sabarimala temple, suddenly feels like a crowded nightclub after a surprise party. Millions of devotees have poured in, but the Indian police had to step in because things got real heated.
What Went Down
- Arrests, arrests, ARRESTS – 68 people were cuffed after an all‑night protest around the temple.
- Why? Because the Supreme Court gave the temple a fresh “do‑not‑let‑women‑enter” reminder (well, almost), and the crowd was set on making their point loud and clear.
- Meanwhile, the Kerala police sent in a tsunami of officers, fearing the kind of chaos that hit in October when the temple first reopened after the SC lifted its old ban on women of menstruating age (10‑50).
The Fallout
The headlines scream: “Scarlet Moon, T-shirts, and Mass Protest.” At the shrine, men—some shirtless—moved in ritual fashion, chanting mantras while the police tried to calm the scene. A surprise twist: many of those arrested were not sieving for the right to stay overnight; they were after stricter restrictions on overnight stays that were put in place. Who would have guessed?
Women Are Still Waiting …
- About 700 women have signed up to pray at Sabarimala in the coming weeks.
- No one has actually made it to the hilltop yet.
- One brave activist got stopped right at the state airport. Bad timing, right?
Next Steps
The temple’s board is filing a plea with the Supreme Court on Monday, asking for more time to get the infrastructure “right” for women. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will also review a related challenge to the law in January.
All in all, a complex mash of religion, politics, and a bit of wild devotion. Stay tuned as the drama – and maybe some blessing – continues on the hilltop.
