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Sabarimala row: Trupti Desai heads back home after protesters block her

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Kochi, Nov 16: Activist Trupti Desai, who was held up at the Kochi airport for more than 13 hours, has agreed to return to Pune as the local BJP workers blocked the exit gates.

Women’s rights activist Trupti Desai (R) and other women pilgrims wait at the Cochin International Airport after protesters blocked the arrival gate of the domestic terminal, in Kochi, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. PTI photo
Women’s rights activist Trupti Desai (R) and other women pilgrims wait at the Cochin International Airport after protesters blocked the arrival gate of the domestic terminal, in Kochi, Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. PTI photo

Hundreds of protesters had said they won't let Desai go on the Sabarimala pilgrimage and protested outside the Kochin International Airport. Desai said she did not want violence in Kerala and had hence taken the step.

Meanwhile, bus services have begun to ferry devotees from Nilakkal. The trek from Pamba to Sabarimala will also start soon.

MN Gopi, local BJP leader, who is outside Cochin airport, said, " Won't allow Trupti Desai to go out from the airport using police vehicle or other govt means. Airport taxies also won't take her. If she wants, she can use her own vehicle. There will be agitations all along her way even if she goes out from the airport."

Trupti Desai requested protestors not to resort to violence. She said, "Once we reach there, we'll see what level of security state gives us. Even if the state doesn't give us any security, we'll still go, but I can be attacked. I have received so many threats of attack and killing."

Protesters Vs Trupti Desai: Here are the Highlights

Nov 16, 2018, 7:43 PM IST

Protestors threatened taxi drivers from providing us services. Hotel staff was threatened of damage to hotels if rooms were given to us. It saddens me to see that people who call themselves Ayyappa devotees are abusing and threatening us, says Trupti Desai at Kochi airport.
Nov 16, 2018, 6:25 PM IST

Trupti Desai to return to her hometown Pune tonight. She has been at the Kochi airport since morning as protesters did not allow her to proceed to Sabarimala Temple.
Nov 16, 2018, 5:36 PM IST

Rahul Easwar says, "Talked with Trupti Desai in @CNNnews18 .. she is considering to go back and will announce by 6 30 pm. Big victory for Swamy Ayyappa devotees."
Nov 16, 2018, 4:37 PM IST

Visuals from Pamba in Pathanamthitta. Courtesy: ANI news
Nov 16, 2018, 3:47 PM IST

Rahul Easwar joins the protest at Kochi airport. He says,"Won’t let Trupti Desai leave the airport."
Nov 16, 2018, 3:46 PM IST

Sabarimala activist, Rahul Easwar, says, " We welcome all protests by Ayyappa devotees. We want Trupti Desai to go back. I welcome all mothers in this protest."
Nov 16, 2018, 2:52 PM IST

"Trupti Desai has no connection with BJP or RSS. She fought elections on a Congress ticket and she doesn't know anything about Sabarimala", says BJP leader MS Kumar
Nov 16, 2018, 1:22 PM IST

Desai, who spearheaded the campaign for women to be allowed into various religious places, including Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, had sent an email to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking security as she fears an attack on her life during her visit to the hill shrine.
Nov 16, 2018, 1:11 PM IST

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya targets Trupti Desai. Malviya draws Congress link with Trupti Desai.
Nov 16, 2018, 12:44 PM IST

According to reports, Tehsildar of Aluva meeting Trupti Desai now. Trupti requested to return from Kochi and not disturb law and order. Trupti to get a call from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office soon.
Nov 16, 2018, 12:43 PM IST

Kerala High Court dismisses Rehana Fatima’s anticipatory bail. Rehana had tried to enter the temple on 19th October. Local police had booked Rehana under Section 295A.
Nov 16, 2018, 11:01 AM IST

Kerala Police review meeting at Sannidhanam to start soon.
Nov 16, 2018, 10:59 AM IST

Trupti says, "Police tried to evacuate us from another gate but protesters were there as well. Protests being held here. Does this mean protesters are scared that we'll reach Sabarimala once we reach Nilakkal, or, are they trying to scare us? We won't return until we have 'darshan'."
Nov 16, 2018, 10:33 AM IST

The temple opens Friday evening, for the third time since the apex court verdict on September 28 allowed women of all age group to offer prayers at the hilltop Lord Ayyappa temple though none could do so following stiff resistance from devotees and activists, opposing any change in the temple traditions.
Nov 16, 2018, 10:33 AM IST

Protesters gathered in huge numbers outside Kochi airport on the arrival of activist Trupti Desai. They did not allow airport cabs to take Ms Desai out of Kochi airport
Nov 16, 2018, 10:27 AM IST

Trupti Desai, founder of Bhumata Brigade, having breakfast at Cochin International Airport as she hasn't been able to leave the airport yet due to protests being carried out against her visit to Sabarimala Temple.
Nov 16, 2018, 10:27 AM IST

Trupti Desai says, "We landed at the airport by 4:30am. We have not been able to go out because of these protests. Police has given us protection and have suggested that we wait for now. We have tried to book 3-4 taxis since morning, no one is willing to take us to Sabarimala. We will not leave Kerala without going to Sabarimala"

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