The hartal has been called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi (SKS), an umbrella organisation of various Hindu outfits which is spearheading protests against the Supreme Court’s September 28 verdict, and the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP).
The BJP is supporting the shutdown while the Congress-led UDF is observing a “black day”. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala threw in his lot with the Tantri of the Sabarimala temple who had come under sharp criticism from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for closing the shrine for purification rituals following the controversial entry of two women to the sanctum early on Wednesday.