Kochi, October 27: The ashram of Swami Sandeepananda Giri, the preacher who backed the Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all ages into the temple, was attacked in Kerala on Saturday. Reports inform that the ashram, located in Kundamankadavu, was attacked in the wee hours of Saturday by unidentified assailants.  According to a tweet by ANI, two cars and a two-wheeler that were parked outside the ashram, belonging to the ashram,  set were set ablaze by these assailants.

Swami Sandeepananda Giri issued a statement to ANI and said, "I think RSS Sangh Parivar did this due to my statement about Sabarimala & similar issues". According to reports, the attack took place around 2 AM and the attackers also left a wreath at the ashram. Soon after the incident, fire and rescue services were pressed into service at around 2.50am. The police also reached the spot and conducted a probe.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the ashram and condemned the violent act. He said the government will not allow anyone to take law and order in their hands. "Physical attacks happen when you can't deal ideologically. Will not allow anyone to take law and order in their hands. Those who are intolerant towards Swami's activities attacked his ashram", Vijayan added. Why These 5 Arguments in Favour of Restricting Women’s Entry Into the Ayyappa Temple Are Baseless.

Reports inform that Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran visited the ashram in Thiruvananthapuram's Kundamankadavu. Kerala PCC president Mullapally Ramachandran was quoted by PTI saying that the attack took place because the swami had raised his voice against fascist forces and alleged that the Sangh Parivar was behind the incident. ‘Lord Ayyappa Is Not Afraid of Us': Viral Song Brings Out Hypocrisy of The Sabarimala Tradition. 

The spiritual leader had recently faced flak from Ayyappa devotees and Hindu organisations over his stand on the issue of entry of women into the Sabarimala temple. Swami Sandeepananda Giri, who was at the ashram when the incident took place, had welcomed the apex court order permitting women in the 10-50 age group to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. Reports inform that Giri faced threats after he supported the entry of menstruating age into the hill shrine.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 27, 2018 02:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).