Sabarimala protest not against entry of women, it is against communist govt: Kerala BJP chief

Pillai's statement is expected to have a huge impact on the whole controversy which has already got the state government on the backfoot.

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Sabarimala protest not against entry of women, it is against communist govt: Kerala BJP chief
Police personnel detain the devotees who were staging Namajapa protest in Sabarimala. (Photo: PTI)

In Short

  • Kerala BJP chief alleged communists are destroying the temple
  • He had previously said the party accepts Sabarimala verdict
  • He was later caught saying Sabarimala issue was golden opportunity for BJP

Amidst raging protests across Kerala over the Sabarimala issue, Bharatiya Janata Party state chief has cleared the party's stand on the issue. PS Sreedharan Pillai has said that the protest is not against the issue of entry of women into the temple but against the communist government in the state.

"Communists are trying to destroy the temple, our protest is against the communists," he said.

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READ| Protests at Sabarimala again, dozens in custody after midnight drama at the shrine

Pillai's statement is expected to have a huge impact on the whole controversy which has already got the state government on the backfoot. Earlier, after the Supreme Court verdict was announced, Sreedharan Pillai had said that he and his party accept and respect the verdict. However, the party soon changed its stand after Hindu outfits mobilised crowd against the verdict.

BJP soon took leadership of the protest and organised a statewide agitation against the verdict and the state government which was adamant to implement the verdict.

Earlier this month, Pillai was caught on camera saying that Sabarimala issue was a 'golden opportunity' for the party. He also said that he persuaded the chief priest to shut the temple gates had any women entered the temple. Pillai further went on to say that the party cadres had successfully stopped women from entering the temple during the last monthly pooja.

READ| Kerala BJP chief booked for golden opportunity remark on Sabarimala

WATCH| Sabarimala showdown: Is BJP instigating violence?