Protest against long-standing practice in Ayyappa temple, devotees went inside without removing shirt

Chennai. Some male devotees protested against the long-standing practice in Lord Ayyappa Temple in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. For this, they went inside the temple on Sunday without removing shirt. It is mandatory for male devotees to remove shirt before entering Ayyappa temple. Some people have been identified through the pictures that have surfaced in this matter. Members of the SNDP Joint Samara Committee are seen standing in queue in front of the temple in Perunadu managed by Travancore Devaswom Board and praying without removing their shirt.

The protest of the protesters ended without any major incident as neither the police nor the temple management raised any particular objection. The protesters later demanded that the practice of male devotees removing their upper garments should be permanently abolished. A police official said, ‘The protest was peaceful. The temple management had already made it clear that they have no objection if anyone enters the temple without removing the shirt. However, devotees traditionally follow this practice.’ However, the controversy may increase after the news comes out.

Uproar over murder of businessman in Idukki district
On the other hand, 2 more persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 50-year-old businessman in Idukki district of Kerala. Police gave this information on Sunday. He said that the businessman was missing since Thursday and his body was later found in a catering warehouse in Kalayanthan. According to the police, businessman Biju Joseph left home for a walk in Chungam of Thodupuzha and went missing. His family lodged a missing person report the next day. Investigation revealed that he was kidnapped and murdered. The first to be arrested in the murder case was Joseph’s former business partner, 50-year-old Jomon. The two were jointly involved in the business, but Joseph refused to give Jomon his share despite repeated requests. Jomon is suspected of hiring a three-member gang from Kochi to kill businessman Joseph.