Sabarimala Women’s Entry: Government promise remains unfulfilled; 1,587 cases yet to be withdrawn, CM tells Assembly

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Thiruvananthapuram: According to government figures, 1,587 cases registered during the protests against women’s entry into Sabarimala are yet to be withdrawn. This information was revealed in the Chief Minister’s reply to MLA A.P. Anil Kumar in the Legislative Assembly.

In September 2018, the Supreme Court of India allowed women of all age groups to enter the Sabarimala temple. The verdict sparked widespread protests across Kerala during 2018–2019, with many groups opposing the implementation of women’s entry. During these protests, the Kerala Police registered thousands of criminal cases against protesters and devotees who participated in the agitations.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the Assembly that a total of 29,119 people were booked in 2,634 cases related to the protests. Out of these, 1,047 cases have either had further proceedings dropped or withdrawal petitions submitted before courts, the Chief Minister clarified. He also added that 692 cases are still under the consideration of courts.

In February 2021, the government had issued an order stating that protest-related cases connected to the Sabarimala issue and the citizenship protests would be withdrawn. However, even five years after the order was issued, it is clear from the Chief Minister’s response that 1,587 cases are yet to be withdrawn by the government.

A.P. Anil Kumar had raised the question regarding the protests linked to women’s entry into Sabarimala during the Assembly session on September 16 last year. Initially, no reply was given. Subsequently, on December 6, Anil Kumar filed a complaint with the Speaker. The Chief Minister responded to the issue three days ago, and the reply has now been uploaded on the Legislative Assembly website.