4 transgenders get nod for Sabarimala pilgrimage
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 17: Four transgenders, turned away by police from proceeding to Sabarimala, were Monday given permission to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, a top police official said.
The nod was given after the transgenders approached DGP A Hemachandran, a member of the Kerala High Court-appointed supervisory panel, and Inspector General of Police Manoj Abraham here, a day after being disallowed to proceed.
Hemachandran said they met him and gave a representation.
"I heard them and after meeting me they also met other police officers. What I understand is that TGs have gone to Sabarimala earlier. There is no objection (to TGs), only security concerns. They may go to Sabarimala at an appropriate time", he told PTI.
Nobody had raised objections. Police on duty there were apprehensive as the transgenders may be mistaken for young women, he added.
Ananya, one of the transgenders in the group, told reporters here that they would proceed to Sabarimala soon.
"We are very happy and feeling very much proud. We have got permission by police to trek Sabarimala and offer prayers,"Ananya said.
However, the transgender said they will not wear male attire during the pilgrimage and would go to the hill shrine wearing sarees.
Police had stopped and sent back Ananya, Trupti, Renjumol and Avanthika at Erumeli, around 60 km from the shrine, Sunday stating that they had to get some legal clarity.
Clad in black sarees, the traditional pilgrim attire, all the four had carried the customary 'irumudikettu' (sacred offerings to the God) also.
The transgenders, however, said the previous ban on women in menstrual age was not applicable to them.
The state had witnessed massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple since the Kerala government decided to implement the September 28 Supreme Court order, permitting women of all age groups into the shrine.
Over a dozen women have so far made unsuccessful attempts to trek the holy hills.
The high court had earlier this month appointed the three-member committee, vesting them with powers to oversee law and order and other problems faced by pilgrims during the ongoing annual season.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Brothers awaiting board exam results drown in canal
Erode (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Minor brothers who were awaiting their board exam results have drowned in a canal in this district while spending their Summer holidays at their aunt's place, police said.
According to Arachalure Police, Santhosh, aged 17, and his younger brother Sanjai, aged 15, natives of Musiri village in Tiruchirapalli district, came to Gopaliparai hamlet near Arachalure to their Aunt's house a couple of days ago after writing their annual 12th and 10th examinations, respectively.
The police said on Friday that both boys went to the nearby Lower Bhavani Project canal to take a bath. It was alleged that while taking a bath, both boys went to a deeper area of the canal and went missing.
As they didn't return home, even two hours after they left, their aunt grew suspicious and informed the Fire and Rescue Services, Chennimalai. A rescue team from the department rushed to the spot. After a few minutes of searching, they located the dead bodies of the brothers and sent them to the hospital. Arachalure police registered a case of death due to drowning and are investigating.
