Sabarimala row: Trupti Desai heads back home after protesters block her
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.
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.
Also read: Kerala CM responsible if something happens to me: Trupti Desai
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."
Kerala: Protesters gather outside Cochin International Airport. Trupti Desai, founder of Bhumata Brigade, has arrived at the airport from Pune. She had written to Kerala CM seeking security for her visit to #SabrimalaTemple on 17 November. pic.twitter.com/QbzdSZeyKa
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
Breaking News -- Talked with Trupti Desai in @CNNnews18 .. she is considering to go back and will announce by 6 30 pm
— Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) November 16, 2018
Big victory for Swamy Ayyappa devotees. #SaveSabarimala
Victory for mothers & sisters protesting at Kochi airport
Visuals from Pamba in Pathanamthitta: Lord Ayyappa devotees throng base camp to begin trek to #SabarimalaTemple. Heavy security deployed in the area. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/G47MNETaPx
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2018
Sabarimala Karma Samithi protests in Kochi Airport #SaveSabarimala
— Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) November 16, 2018
Proud of these Mothers and sisters pic.twitter.com/O1LDU3uNHC
‘Activist’ Trupti Desai had unsuccessfully contested the Pune Municipal Corporation election, in Feb 2012, from ward 38 (Balajinagar) on a Congress ticket. It is insidious how the Communists and Congress are shredding every tradition of the Hindu society, one step at a time...
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 16, 2018