Pathanamthitta, November 16: Kerala activist and president of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena, Rahul Easwar on Friday threatened that if woman activist Trupti Desai tries to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum, she has to step on the chest of protesters to enter the temple. Trupti along with six other women associates, who earlier pledged to offer prayers in the shrine, was blocked from leaving Nedumbassery Airport in Kochi. Activist Trupti Desai Stuck at Airport For Hours Amid Protests.

Trupti is stranded in the airport for over last 10 hours amid heavy demonstration from devotees who staged a protest by chanting 'Swamiya Ayyappa' and clapping hands. "Trupti Desai should go back. She will have to step on our chests and walk over us if she wants to enter Sabarimala Temple," said Activist Rahul Easwar, reported ANI. History of Sabarimala: Why Women Weren't Allowed Into The Lord Ayyappa Shrine.

However, Trupti asserted that she will not return unless she visits Lord Ayyappa’s Sabarimala Temple. "Police tried to evacuate us from another gate but protesters were there as well. Does this mean protesters are scared that we'll reach Sabarimala once we reach Nilakkal? Or are they trying to scare us? We won't return until we have darshan," she said.

More than 15,000 policemen have been deployed in and around the Sanctum Sanctorum as the temple opened today at 5 pm for "Mandala Makkaravillakku Puja". During this season, it is estimated that lakhs of people will throng the shrine. This is the third time that temple is opened for devotees after the Supreme Court's order of allowing women of all age group to enter the holy shrine.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 16, 2018 05:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).