FIR filed against actor Kollam Thulasi
AMN / THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Protests against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into Sabarimala temple in Kerala have intensified as more and more group joining hand against the apex court order.
On Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets in Kochi to protest against the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict even as activist Trupti Desai announced plans to visit the hill shrine. Though the CPM-led LDF government has not yet reacted to Desai’s planned trip, it evoked sharp reactions from Ayyappa devotees and the BJP, which is campaigning against the entry of women into the hill shrine.
The Kerala Police on Saturday registered a case against actor Kollam Thulasi who warned that “women who dare to enter Sabarimala temple should be torn into two pieces”.
The FIR against Thulasi, who had contested as a BJP candidate in the 2016 assembly elections, was registered on a complaint by Ratheesan, a local leader of the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M). The actor was booked under Sections 295A (outraging religious feelings), 298 (uttering words with intention to wound religious sentiments), 354A (making sexually coloured remarks) of the IPC. He has also been booked under Section 119A of the Kerala Police Act, which deals with sexual gestures or acts in public places degrading the dignity of women. The Kerala State Women’s Commission registered a suo motu case against Thulasi.
Thulasi, however on Saturday tendered an apology. “I should not have made those statements. I reacted in such a manner due to my extreme devotion. I am withdrawing that statement and offering an apology if my words have hurt anyone. I got carried away by the enthusiasm of mothers who had taken part in that prayer meeting. My words only reflected the pain of a devotee of Ayyappa,’’ he said, adding that he would continue to take part in prayer meetings.
Reacting to Desai’s statement, BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai called hers a “dangerous approach. It is up to the faithful to prevent Desai from going to the temple. If the faithful come out to prevent Desai, BJP will support them. She should desist from visiting the shrine’’.The state government, which has decided to implement the ruling, held a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to evaluate the preparations for pilgrims arriving at the temple, which will open for monthly pujas on October 17 evening.