Kerala: Ashram of Swami Sandeepananda, who supported Sabarimala verdict, attacked

An ashram in Kerala, founded by spiritual leader Swami Sandeepananda Giri who faced ire from Ayyappa devotees and Hindu organisations for supporting the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, was attacked and vehicles set ablaze in Thiruvananthapuram in the wee hours of Saturday. The attack took place at around 2am and two cars and a scooter of Swami Sandeepananda Giri's School of Bhagavad Gita at Kundamankadavu in Thiruvananthapuram were burnt. The attackers also left a wreath at the ashram. 

It is to be noted that Swami Sandeepananda Giri had supported the entry of women of menstrual age to the Sabarimala temple and questioned those opposing the Supreme Court. He had drawn criticism on social media and TV channel debates for expressing his views on the Sabarimala temple verdict. Reportedly, Sandeepananda had received threats for his views on Sabarimala.  

Reacting to the attack, Sandeepananda Giri alleged that the entire responsibility for the incident was on BJP state president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Thazhamon Madom, the family of traditional head priests of Sabarimala temple and Pandalam Royal family, also associated with the shrine.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been adamant about implementing the Supreme Court's verdict in Sabarimala, took to social media to condemn the attack on Sandeepananda's ashram. "Physical attacks happen when you can't deal ideologically. Will not allow anyone to take law and order in their hands. There will be strong action against those behind the attack," said Pinarayi Vijayan in a Facebook post. "Those who are intolerant towards Swami's activities attacked his ashram. The public should be aware of such acts of intolerance," he added. 

Kerala DGP Loknath Behara said strong action would be taken to bring the accused to book. "We will not tolerate such incidents in the state," he said. However, BJP district leadership has denied any role in the attack and demanded an "unbiased" probe into the incident.

Kerala witnessed unprecedented scenes last week as the temple opened for the first time for monthly pujas after the landmark verdict by the Supreme Court. Ayyappa devotees moved every card to ensure that no women in the 'barred age group' reached the hilltop temple. Police, devotees and journalists were at the receiving end of violence unleashed by the protesters during the course of five days. Cracking the whip against protesters, the police have arrested about 2,000 people, who allegedly took part in demonstrations across Kerala.