It was a dramatic start to the day as activist Trupti Desai and four others landed at the Kochi airport in the morning. The activist who had faced massive protests last year and was not allowed to leave the Kochi airport, in her effort to go to the Sabarimala temple, faced protests this year too.
This time, however, Trupti was spotted at the airport and later spoke to news channels. Scared that there would be trouble, their driver abandoned them midway and Trupti was forced to go to the office of the Kochi Police Commissioner seeking security. Trupti told the media that she had written to the Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state police chief.
"We are waiting here at the Commissioner's office for security to go to Sabarimala. We are determined to go to Sabarimala and offer prayers, we will make sure we reach Pamba today," Trupti told TNM.
Meanwhile, Bindu Ammini, the woman who managed to visit Sabarimala temple last year with her friend Kanakadurga, also reached the Commissioner's office to join Trupti's team.
By then, Sangh Parivar members had reached the police chief's office and there was a heated war of words between Bindu and this group. Bindu told the media that someone in the group threw chilli and pepper powder on her face. "They attacked me. See the pepper on my hands," she told the cameras.
Shocking visuals of pepper/ chilli spray being sprayed at Bindu Ammini outisde the commissioner office by one of the protesters . She has been moved to the hospital. Six other women including Trupti Desai inside the police commissioner's office. #Sabarimala #Kerala @ndtv pic.twitter.com/d24chgs8b3
— Sneha Koshy (@SnehaMKoshy) November 26, 2019
Bindu had stepped out of the Commissioner's office to collect some files from the car, which included the court order, when the attack happened.
The protestor, who was among a group assembled at the commissioner’s office, had a spray can with chilli powder which he sprayed on Bindu’s face. An altercation between Bindu and the protestors, who identified themselves as Ayyappa devotees broke out immediately after the attack.
One of the protesting men can be heard telling Bindu, “You will not go to Sabarimala from here,” later accusing her of being a naxal. Bindu can also be heard responding by asking him why he assumed she was going to Sabarimala. Despite the presence of police officials, the protestors continued to point fingers at her and said that she won't be allowed to go to Sabarimala.
A few police officers outside the Commissioner’s office then tried to intervene and end the scuffle. Following this, Bindu submitted the documents to the officer. She was then admitted to the General Hospital in Ernakulam.
The group of women are currently at the Commissioner's office.
This is a developing story.