Woman who entered Sabarimala temple ousted from home

Kanaka Durga, a native of Malappuram district in North Kerala who visited the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, was forced to stay at a shelter home after she was thrown out of her house.

Kanaka was injured after being allegedly beaten up by her mother-in-law when she went to the house on January 15. After getting discharged, she went to the house again on Monday evening. But her family members insisted that she would be allowed to enter the house only if she tendered an apology to the society for entering the Ayyappa temple. But she did not concede to the demand.

Bindu A, who accompanied Kanaka to Sabarimala on January 2, told DH that Kanaka was left with no other option but to stay at a shelter home in Malappuram. Kanaka would be exploring legal options for entering the house. The family members did not assault Kanaka this time as she had police protection, said Bindu.

She also alleged that the family was opposing Kanaka owing to threats and pressure from various outfits opposing women entry to Sabarimala.

Local sources said that Kanaka’s mother-in-law Sumathi Amma and brother Bharath Bhushan were very adamant in their stand against Kanaka. Bhushan had even alleged that Kanaka had links with Left extremist groups.

Meanwhile, Bindu could visit her house at Kozhikode with police protection. She is also going to the school of legal studies where she is working as an assistant professor.

Kanaka is an employee with the state government’s Civil Supplies Corporation. She is now on medical leave. Her husband Krishnan Unni is a Kerala Public Works Department employee.

Both Kanaka and Bindu have been provided police protection as per the Supreme Court order.