Indian activist Rehana Fatima (C) walks with police wearing protective gear near the Lord Ayyappa temple complex at Sabarimala in India's southern Kerala state on October 19, 2018, as she was denied entry to the temple grounds by Hindu hardliners. Protests against women entering the Hindu temple grew on Friday, with hundreds of hardliners blocking three women from entering the Sabarimala temple for a third day. The controversy has fired up Hindu religious sentiment, with some residents supporting the view that the temple devotees' feelings ought to be respected. Members of Modi's BJP in the state have also strongly backed those seeking to block the entry of women. Hindu hardliners, including members of the BJP's youth wing, have clashed with police and attacked women, including journalists, who have tried to get to the temple.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 19, 2018 17:03 UTC