Kanakadurga, one of the first women to enter Sabarimala after the Supreme Court verdict, says she will not apologise to anyone for her temple visit and will return home with a court order, Scroll reported.
Kanakadurga has been staying at the One Stop centre in Malappuram’s Perinthalmanna after she found that her house was locked and her family members had shifted to another building, police said.
She told News18 it had been her husband’s decision to not allow her back into the house after she returned from the hospital.
Kanakadurga was hospitalised at the Kozhikode Medical College after she was attacked by her mother-in-law upon returning from her Sabarimala visit.
“I am not going to say sorry to anyone. I have not committed any wrong by word or deed. I would like to reiterate that no one, including my brother and husband, has any right to stop me from entering my home,” she told Scroll.
At an event for Ayyappa devotees organised by the RSS in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, Kanakadurga’s brother Bharat Bhushan reportedly said the family had disowned her and she would not be allowed back home until she publicly apologised for her temple visit. Bhushan is a member of the RSS, according to the Hindustan Times.
A police official told PTI that Kanakadurga has filed a petition in a Perinthalmanna court under the Domestic Violence Act, stating she had the right to stay at her husband’s home.
Kanakdurga, an employee of the Civil Supplies Department, had scripted history along with Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(M) ML activist, on 2 January by offering prayers at the Ayyappa shrine, where traditionally women in the 10-50 age group were barred from entering.
The Supreme Court had in a historic verdict last year lifted the centuries old ban and allowed women of all age groups to offer prayers at the temple.
The two were the first women of menstrual age to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa shrine after the SC verdict.
Perinthalamanna Circle Inspector TS Binu said she was being provided round-the-clock security as directed by the Supreme Court.
At least 10 police personnel have been posted for her security. CCTV surveillance has also been provided at the shelter home.
One Stop Centres (OSC), launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, are intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace.
(With PTI inputs)