Amid uncertainty over whether a 46-year-old Sri Lankan woman entered the Sabarimala shrine and worshipped the deity on Thursday night, police sources released CCTV footage to prove she did go to the temple.
The clip purportedly shows the woman entering the temple with irumudi kettu (offerings for God).
She later spoke to the media, denying having entered the shrine. The woman is unavailable for comment now.
What Happened on Thursday Night?
The woman identified as Sasikala, daughter of Asok Kumaran, born on 3 December, 1972, reached Sabarimala on Thursday night with her family. Both The Hindu and The Times of India said the woman, accompanied by plain-clothed police officers, prayed at the temple and went back to Pamba without any disruption.
According to The Hindu, “Sasikala had walked up the ‘18 Holy Steps’ without any hindrance and offered her prayers at the sanctum.”
However, Sasikala told TV channels stationed at Pamba that she did not worship and the police had sent her back. "I am a devotee. I wanted to pray, I had completed the 48-day vratham (penance), who are they to send me back?" an agitated Sasikala can be heard saying.
Sasikala also told the media that her uterus had been removed for medical reasons and, therefore, she had all rights to go to the temple.
“I am a devotee, I have a medical certificate.”Sasikala
Her husband told the media that they went only till Marakootam, a point which lies one km away from the sanctum. According to the husband, the policemen in mufti retreated when they saw a camera crew. He and their son made the darshan, while Sasikala returned.
Incidentally, TV news channel Janam TV aired visuals of two policemen dressed like devotees walking towards Sannidhanam. When they spotted the camera, the two policemen first covered their faces. But when the camera follows them, the policemen can be seen running away.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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