India: Security ordered for women who defied temple ban

By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India (AA) - India’s Supreme Court on Friday ordered a southern state to give round-the-clock security to two women who earlier this month entered a temple, defying a centuries-old ban.

The women -- identified as Bindu Ammini and Kanaka Durga, both in their mid-40s -- entered the Sabarimala temple in Kerala to pray on Jan 2, triggering protests in parts of the state. The duo had approached the court, citing threats to their lives.

“Having heard the lawyers, we deem it appropriate to close this petition at this stage by directing Kerala to provide round-the clock [security],” the court’s bench said on Friday, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

Last September the Supreme Court ordered an end to the ban on women or girls of menstruating age from entering the temple. But the temple and devotees refused to implement the ruling, saying Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity, was celibate. The temple draws millions of worshippers every year.