Daijiworld Media Network

Kerala, Oct 19: After two women failed to enter Sabarimala temple on Friday, another woman identified as Mary Sweety attempted to climb the hill, but returned after police denied her protection.

The 46-year-old, a resident of Kazhakoottam near Thiruvananthapuram, told media at Pamba that she is expressing a divine power, which is motivating her to climb the hill and she wanted to pay respects to the deity on the holy day of Vidyarambham.

However, as the protestors chanted slogans and police telling her that ‘she is on her own,’ she said she is forced to drop her decision. “I am going back as I am told there is no way to proceed. It was the duty of the cops to escort me. I go to all religious institutions and I wanted to see Lord Ayyappa,” she said.

Mary was later taken to police control room at Pamba.

On Friday, 24-year-old journalist Kavitha Jakkala, a Hyderabad-based news anchor, along with a three-member crew, and Rehana Fathima from Ernakulam accompanied by Inspector General Sreejith and 80 policemen tried to enter the temple but were stopped 500 metres away from the steps by protestors.

Around 20 temple priests also joined the protest and sat on 18 steps leading up to the temple. Meanwhile, Thantri family and the Pandalam royal family threatened to close the temple doors if women try to gain entry.