The government of Kerala told the Supreme Court on Friday that 51 women of menstruating age had entered the Sabarimala temple since a landmark top court order in September 2018 scrapped the decades-old ban on such devotees from offering prayers at the hill shrine. Until now, it was known that just two women devotees of menstruating age – Bindu Ammini and Kanaka Durga – had entered the temple on January 2, triggering violent protests across the state.
Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria’s submission before the SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, came on a plea by the two women devotees seeking adequate hearing. The court ordered round-the-clock security for the two women, who have gone into hiding since violence broke out in the state two weeks ago. Hindu groups, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have opposed the entry of women of menstruating age, blaming the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) government of disrespecting traditions.