New Delhi, Jan 18 (UNI) The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday directed the police to provide security to the two women who entered the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala on January 2 after the Kerala government claimed that more than 50 women, between the age of 10 to 50 years, have entered the restricted sanctum sanctorum.
The three-member bench, chaired by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, instructed that both the women- Kanakdurga (44) and Bindu (40), who entered the restricted sanctum sanctorum in early January, be given 24-hour protection by the state police.
Along with seeking round-the-clock security, the two women also sought court orders to prevent the temple administration from carrying out purification rituals after women enter its premises.
Kanakadurga has alleged her mother-in-law had beaten her up for entering the temple, which houses celibate deity Ayyappan.
During today's hearing, Kerala government lawyer Vijay Hansaria informed the Bench that at least 51 women of the age group of 10 to 50 years have entered the temple premises till now.
He said that about 7,500 women between 10 to 50 years have registered to enter the ancient temple of celibate lord Ayyappa.
UNI XC-RHK SHK2027