Sabarimala row: case filed against Rehana

A day after Rehana Fathima’s failed attempt to enter the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, the Pathanamthitta Police have registered a case against the Kochi-based activist on charges of hurting religious sentiments through social media posts.

The case was registered based on a complaint to the District Police Chief by R Radhakrishna Menon. Rehana and Kavitha Jakkala, a Hyderabad-based journalist, were escorted by about 100 police personnel on their Sabarimala trek but were forced to retreat after protests near the Sannidhanam.

Expelled from community

On Saturday, the Kerala Muslim Jama-Ath Council issued a statement announcing Rehana’s expulsion from the community. Council state president A Pookunju said in the statement that the move follows the activist’s attempt to enter the Ayyappa temple defying the Hindu faith and ritualistic traditions.

“The council has also sought from the Ernakulam Central Muslim Jama-Ath expulsion of Rehana Fathima and her family from the mahallu membership.”

Pookunju also urged the state government to register a case against her under section 153 A of the IPC (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony).