Thiruvananthapuram, January 3: A day after two women entered in the Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala and a Lord Ayyappa devotee died in the clash on Wednesday, United Democratic Front observes 'black day' in the state on Thursday. Along with this, Sabarimala Karma Samithi is holding a 12-hour long hartal today.

With various organisations called for Hartal in Kerala over the women entry in Sabarimala Temple, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has stopped its bus operations to Kerala, informed KSRTC PRO on Thursday. Various universities have postponed their exams scheduled for today. Also, security has been beefed up nearby the vicinity of the temple and all across the state, fearing a repeat of violent protest. Sabarimala Row: Kerala DGP Ensures Strict Action Against Those Flouting Laws.

The right wing-outfits have called the two women who entered the Sabarimala shrine on Wednesday as “anti-social and feminist activists”. They also accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPI government of indulging in ‘deceitful’ actions.

Earlier on Wednesday, violent clashes broke out between supports and non-supporters of women’s entry in Sabarimala and a Sabarimala Karma Samithi member – Chandran Unnithan (55) – died. This led to the closure of the shops and markets in various parts of the state. A stone hit Unnithan during the clash and succumb to injuries in the hospital.

Soon after the reports of his death circulated, the protest became more violent, leading to the organisation, calling for a hartal all across the state. Even journalists reporting from outside the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram were allegedly attacked by BJP workers and its youth wing activists, during the clash on Wednesday.

The stand-off continues in the state between the government and the right-wing groups after the Supreme Court in its September 2018 verdict announced that women of all age groups would be allowed to visit Sabarimala temple. It is to be known that women, aged between 11-50 years, are not allowed to enter the temple.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2019 09:39 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).