Malappuram: In yet another incident of attack on those supporting the women who expressed their willingness to enter Sabarimala Ayyappa temple, a youth from Malappuram’s Nilambur has come under attack by alleged right wing activists.
Sangeeth, a native of Karakkod in Malappuram, was attacked by a gang of nearly 30 people after he accompanied three women who held a press conference expressing their desire to go to Sabarimala at Ernakulam Press Club on November 19. The trio were on ‘vritham’, the mandatory austerities for visiting Sabarimala.
Sangeeth, 33, returned to his native on November 27 to attend a local temple festival. “I was blocked by the gang on my way to the temple here around 9:30 PM on Wednesday night, I was on my way to the temple with my friends after taking a bath at a pond as part of the custom. The gang blocked me and asked whether I was Sangeeth. When they identified me they started beating me,” Sangeeth told CNN-News18.
Sangeeth, who suffered head injuries, was saved by local people and was taken to Nilambur Government Hospital on Thursday morning.
Last week, Aparna Sivakami, an activist along with Sangeeth, arranged a media briefing for three women who expressed willingness for Sabarimala pilgrimage was also attacked. Aparna’s house, located in Thenhippalam in Malappuram district, was pelted with stones at 2.30 am by bike-borne assailants damaging two windows.
On November 19, Reshma Nishant and Anila from Kannur district and Dhanya from Kollam district had held a press conference in Kochi announcing their willingness for Sabarimala pilgrimage if the police ensure adequate security.
Sangeeth, who has been working as make-up artist had earlier written a Facebook post announcing he will go to Sabarimala along with a group of young women. Following his FB post the women approached him seeking his support.
The trio faced stiff protests from a mob which chanted Ayyappa hymns outside the Press Club and they were rescued by the police.
"I have identified two of the attackers who belong to ABVP and filed a complaint with the police. Vazhikkadavu police have registered a case and an investigation is underway," says Sangeeth adding he is scared for his life after the press conference held at Kochi. "I have been staying at a friend’s place after the incident. Now, I am afraid to go to my workplace also,” he says.
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