Hartal in Kerala protesting against entry of two women into Sabarimala Shrine disrupts normal life; One person killed, 3 BJP workers sustain knife injuries; Governor seeks report from CM on violence; Supreme Court refuses urgent hearing on contempt plea filed against Sabarimala temple officials.

Kerala remains on the boil with protests across the state after two women under the age of 50 entered the Sanctum sanctorum of the Sabrimala shrine. A dawn-to-dusk 12-hour hartal called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi in protest against the entry of the two women into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa turned violent in several places. Shops were closed and public transport remained off the roads in capital Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Pandalam and Patahnmittha.

In Thrissur, 3 BJP workers sustained stab injuries in clashes. About 400 protesters, including some women, took to the streets of Kochi. In Kozhikode, protesters blocked vehicles and burnt tyres in the morning. Protestors and the police clashed in Thiruvanthapuram.

A 55-year-old man, who was seriously injured in stone throwing at Pandalam, died late Wednesday night. Various universities, including Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut and Kannur postponed their examinations scheduled for Thursday. BJP is supporting the Bandh and the Congress led UDF is observing a black day in protest.

According to reports so far, 79 buses have been damaged in the violence in Kerala. several media persons, women as well as over 30 police personnel have been injured. Several arrests have also been made since Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came down heavily on the chief priest’s action of closing the temple for purification ceremony, Vijayan said this was against the apex court’s verdict. He said that his government provided security to Kanakdurga and Bindu when they asked for it.

In the Sabarimala temple issue it is the government’s responsibility to give protection to women. The government has fulfilled this constitutional responsibility.