Sabarimala Attacks and Kerala Floods: How the World Saw Two Distinct Faces of Kerala

Kerala has had a rough year. After recovering from the Nipah virus outbreak in May, the state was barely prepared for the killer deluge that struck during the days leading up to Onam. It was called the worst calamity in the history of the state. But even in the face of such scary calamities, Kerala and Malayalees braved both the situations with equanimity.

But as the state struggled to stay afloat, people outside Kerala watched in awe on their news channels how common folks turned heroes. Stories of human resilience were rife: Samaritans who risked their lives for strangers, kind people who saved animals and fishermen who went out of their way to rescue the stranded. The image of a man who got down on all fours to be a stepping board for a woman went viral. Kerala painted a picture of perseverance, unity and heroism.

Two months after the floods which endeared Kerala to the world, the state is at the brink of another crisis, but this time of man-made nature. The long-standing issue of women’s entry into Sabarimala Temple, a shrine for the celibate lord Ayyappa, was finally resolved by the Supreme Court in September with an epoch-making 4:1 judgement. The apex court ruled in favour of gender equality, allowing females of all age groups to visit the temple, which had once prohibited the entry of women. Why These 5 Arguments in Favour of Restricting Women’s Entry Into the Ayyappa Temple Are Baseless.

But in stark contrast to the situation during the floods, Kerala has not shown the same kind of maturity in dealing with the new development. The issue reached a head today with violent protests unfolding in Kerala at Nilakkal, at Pathanamthitta district. Sabarimala Verdict: I'm a Woman, I Bleed And The Right to Pray is Mine as Much as It's Yours.

Female devotees from all over the country were waiting to set foot into the shrine for the first time had stones pelted at them. Women were threatened, abused and driven away by goons who descended at Nilakkal to stop women from entering the temple premises. Journalists were assaulted, and their vehicles were attacked. Even with the backing of the highest legal institution in the country, women devotees were forced to abandon their journey and retreat. History of Sabarimala: Why Women Weren't Allowed Into The Lord Ayyappa Shrine.

It’s tough to understand Kerala’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde nature, especially if one is an outsider. The state is quick to claim all the tags that speak of its progressive nature. It gloats about its state’s high literacy rate, female to male ratio and its high human development index. But at the same time, Kerala also showcases a great reluctance to let go of its patriarchal past.

The Sabarimala ruling has been received as an affront to the state’s “cultural tradition,” an excuse used to shut down any debate arising on the topic. Prominent voices had been speaking out against SC ruling, calling it a ploy by evil feminists to collapse the rich heritage of the state. One threatened suicide if women enter the temple, others have turned homicidal. Women Coming to Sabarimala Should be Ripped in Half, Says Malayalam Actor Kollam Thulasi.

Many right-wing groups opined that the floods were sent by God since many political parties and the court was in support of women’s entry into the Sabarimala. And these views are held by many in the state. Scores of WhatsApp forwards and Facebook statuses validate that.

Strangely, many women have turned against the very government that has fought for their rights. It seems like a case of Stockholm syndrome, as women back these misogynistic views of the patriarchal Keralite society.

BJP has found itself an unlikely ally in Congress. Both parties have been making sure that the cauldron of dissent is kept bubbling. Malayalees who lauded CM Pinnaryi Vijayan for his deft handling of the Nipah outbreak and the floods are now baying for his blood. There’s a clarion call to bring down the LDF government, which has “let down” the Hindus.

In a span of a few months, the world got to see two sides of the same Kerala. It took neither a natural calamity nor an outbreak of a deadly disease to break the state’s restraint. A social reform movement aimed at bringing about gender equality managed to do that.

Shame on you Kerala. The world is watching you.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2018 06:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).