Kerala Preacher’s Ashram Attacked, Preacher Targeted for Being Pro-SC Verdict

As the BJP-RSS continue their efforts to batter the secular fabric of Kerala in the name of Sabarimala temple, an ashram of a Hindu religious preacher Swami Sandeepananda Giri – who is an ardent supporter of Supreme Court’s verdict allowing the entry of all women irrespective of age in the temple – has been attacked. The attack took place hours before the BJP National President Amit Shah’s visit to the state.

The attack on the ashram – the School of Bhagavad Gita Swami, which is on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram – took place at around 2.30 am on Saturday. Two cars and a two-wheeler belonging to the ashram were set on fire allegedly by the members of BJP-RSS. The attackers have also put a wreath in front of the Ashram.

The preacher was present in the premises of the ashram at the time of the attack, 

While, on the one hand, Giri said that the BJP-RSS combine is behind the attack, on the other hand, one of the members from the Sabarimala tantric (priest) family – the custodian of Sabarimala Ayyappa temple – has alleged that the preacher himself set his property ablaze to implicate the saffron brigade.

Read More: Kerala CM Slams Sangh for Creating Sabarimala Mess, Vows to Execute SC Order

Giri has been taking a strong stand against the BJP-RSS combine in the state that has opposed the apex court's September 28 verdict opening the gates of the Lord Ayyappa shrine for all women.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with Finance Minister Thomas Issac and State Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, visited the ashram, and condemned the attack.

“No one will be allowed to take law into their hands. I have visited him and assured that stringent action will be taken against attackers. Swami Sandeepananda Giri champions the values of secularism and has been a strong critic against attempts to politicize religious spaces,” said the chief minister. 

Vijayan, who has taken a strong stand against any breach of the court's verdict, has reportedly asked Director General of Police Loknath Behra to take immediate action. The security at the ashram has been taken up by the police, Behra said.

"Kerala knows the stand that the Swami has taken and is known for his secular outlook. Those behind this attack will be taken to task and the criminals who have done this will be brought before the law," he further said.

"The Sangh Parivar is trying to silence me for my position, taken against them," Swami told Vijayan. He also made it clear that he has been receiving threats from the Right wing bodies for his firm stand in favour of the entry of women in Sabarimala.

The attack comes in the wake of the arrests of the violent protesters who had allegedly prevented women between the 10-50 years age group from entering the temple between October 17 and 22. 

Following these protests, more than 2,800 demonstrators have been arrested so far in the state for violating the prohibitory order in certain areas of Pathanamthitta including Nilakkal, Pamba and Sannidhanam between September 17 and 20. The arrested include those who had allegedly attacked cops on duty then, and vandalised public properties.

Read more: Protests Intensify as the Doors of the Sabarimala Temple Open, Section 144 Imposed

While the BJP President Amit Shah has backed the violent protesters, he termed the protests a “struggle to save tradition”. Shah, who extended his support to the “devotees”, even threatened the Left Democratic Front government in the state, and said, “If you don’t listen, and still carry on with your step, the BJP workers will make sure you will be put down by them.” Openly embracing the violent demonstrators, he warned the ruling Left Front government of “heavy price” if they continue their attempts to maintain the law and order by arresting the violent ones.

BJP-RSS and its allies in the state have been targeting the people who stand for the women’s right to enter in the Sabarimala temple. Earlier, the journalists, especially the women journalists who were in Sabarimala for reporting, were attacked. Following that, women, who attempted to enter the temple, were attacked. If we come to social media platforms, people who stand for the implementation of the court verdict are being targeted by the members of Right-wing organisations, with rape threats, life threats and derogatory comments.

As Vijayan said, "Physical attacks happen when you can't deal [with the issues] ideologically.”

Read More: Sabrimala: RSS Supremo Justifies Flouting of SC Order