People from the transgender community were stopped from going towards Sabarimala temple on Sunday. Four transwomen were not just asked to return but verbally abused by the police. The incident happened in Erumely police station in Kottayam district which is 40km from Sabarimala, the first base camp towards the shrine. They were asked why they were dressed as women and to change into a man's attire. But later were denied entry to the temple route.

According to a Mathrubhumi, transwomen identified as Avantika Vishnu, Renjumol Mohan, Trupti Shetty and Ananya Kumari had performed the required rituals to undertake the pilgrimage at Ernakulam where special branch wing of the police was witness to the prayers. History of Sabarimala: Why Women Weren't Allowed Into The Lord Ayyappa Shrine.

IANS quoted Ananya as saying, "We began our pilgrimage on Saturday from Ernakulam and the special branch wing of the police was witness to the prayers and all the ritual functions that we undertook. But when we reached Erumely, the top police official was very rude and so was the female officials."

Ananya added saying, "First they said, we will not be allowed to visit the temple in the ladies dress and they asked us to change to a man's attire. Initially, we refused and after some time, we decided we will change, but the police changed their minds and asked us to return."

While the Supreme Court's order in September granted permission to women devotees between the age of 10 and 50 to enter the temple, not a single woman has been allowed since then. The entry of women of menstruating age is banned at Sabarimala temple quoting religious beliefs and sentiments. Multiple attempts made by women were stopped by protestors at Nilakkal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2018 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).