T’gana journo returns from brink of history

Hyderabad: “I was 18 steps away from the deity but had to return, as priests and children sat in protest at the main gate and threatened to stop the puja ,”said Kavitha Jakkal, a journalist from Hyderabad who attempted to enter Sabarimala on Vijayadasami.

Three women on Friday tried to make history but were not allowed to enter the temple. Tension continues at Sabarimala.  

Kavita said she had walked 5 km to reach Nadapanthal (18 steps to Sannidhanam) at about 11 am. “We returned to the guesthouse where Intelligence Bureau IG Sreejith advised us to go back. Keeping in mind the safety of the children, the devotees from Kochi and I stepped back, but I am ‘very proud that I could reach to a point 500 meters away from lord Ayyappa,” she said.

The 24-year-old journalist reached Kerala on October 16 accompanied by three male colleagues. The crew of four, while travelling in a hired car, was accosted by two bikers and four cars midway on day one. ‘The mob pelted stones and gheraoed our van as they identified a women sitting inside, I was wearing a black saree, the men demanded that I change my dress. We had to leave the place immediately... We did not know the language and neither did they understand Hindi or English. Their intention was to infuse fear and violently drive us away. On Day 2, our crew reached Nilakkal at 6 am (5 km from the temple), we took shelter in the car the entire night despite police bandobust.  Protesters were hiding in the bushes and attacked anyone they saw. We could not purchase food or attend nature’s call out of fear,” Kavitha told this newspaper.

For close to 48 hours, the crew from Hyderabad took shelter at the police outpost at Nilakkal.

“On Friday, our journey began from Pamba at 6. 30 am, I was firm about completing my darshan. I was accompanied with a highly-equipped battalion of 300 policemen, I was given a bulletproof jacket and a helmet... On our way, a man pelted stones on the police and threatened to commit suicide, and the police took him into preventive custody. Throughout the hilly terrain the men continued to attack and abuse. Finally, we reached Sannidhanam and 18 steps would take me to the deity. But then, priests of all ages and children were positioned in front. They sat on the left side of the temple gate chanting Ayyappa and threatened to close the gate and stop the puja if I entered”, said the mother of a 4-year-old toddler.

So near and yet so far, Kavitha was asked to return by IG Sreejit as intelligence reports confirmed of a possible lathicharge and the children’s life would be in danger.