TV crew working for Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV were allegedly attacked by protesters outside the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday as the gates for the temple opened.
An angry Goswami slammed the devotees of Lord Ayappa opposing the entry of women into the temple. One of those opposing is activist Rahul Easwar. Slamming Easwar on live TV, Goswami shouted, “Why the hell my reporter has been attacked? Would you want your mother and sister attacked. Shame on you? These are devotees? What kind of devotees are these? They cover their face and attack women. Shame on you.”
The Supreme Court in a historic judgement last month had recently allowed the entry of women devotees into the temple. However, a large section of devotees have been opposing the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Kerala has been tense as the gates of Sabarimala shrine open on Wednesday. The protesters are stopping the entry of women of all age groups on Wednesday. According to reports, devotees of Lord Ayyappa have been vigilantly checking vehicles for women between the age group of 10-50 at Nilakkal (Nilackal), the main gateway to Sabarimala shrine. These people have their face covered to hide their identity.
Many fanatics had even threatened to commit ‘mass suicides’ if women entered the temple. The state government headed by the Left parties is accused of turning a blind eye keeping electoral politics in mind.
Pooja Prasanna of Republic TV, who was attacked by protesters, said that she was assaulted even when she was surrounded by cops. She held Easwar responsible for provoking others, leading to the attack on journalists.
Pooja Prasanna is the south bureau chief of Republic TV.
Live Updates:-
- Journalists from CNN-News 18 and Aaj Tak also targeted. NDTV reported that its journalists were stopped from covering the protests midway adding that reporter Sneha Mary Koshy and cameraperson SP Babu were heckled and asked to leave.
- India Today crew attacked too. A tweet by India Today read, “We’re getting a report that India Today TV crew was attacked by a large mob of around 100 people.”
- Kerala: Total 30 people have been arrested in Pamba, 9 yesterday and 21 today, in connection with protests against entry of women in age group 10-50 to #SabarimalaTemple. Two of them got bail. (ANI)
- She was kicked from behind as angry devotees took her photograph, called her derogatory names and chanted slogans in the name of Ayyappa. A woman also tried to throw a water bottle at Saritha: The News Minute
- I spoke to
@Sarithasbalan and@PoojaPrasanna4..both attacked. I want@RahulEaswar and all the others to answer. Is this your protest? Saritha was abused with the worst kind of abuses. Is this how a devotee behaves: Dhanya Rajendran, editor of The News Minute - Journalist Saritha Balan of Newsminute website violently attacked by anti-women Sabarimala mob
- Kerala: Over 20 people including former Travancore Devaswom Board president Prayar Gopalakrishnan taken into custody in Nilakkal and Pamba for protesting against entry of women in age group 10 to 50 to #Sabarimala temple. ANI
- Kerela: Congress party leaders hold a peaceful protest in Nilakkal against the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 to Sabarimala Temple- ANI
- Two women devotees reach Sabarimala temple, sent back by protesters-NDTV
- A woman Madhavi on her way to
#SabarimalaTemple returned mid-way along with her relatives after facing protests- ANI