Vijayan faces Ayyappa protests during Kollam bypass program

A section of the audience created a disturbance and chanted Ayyappa hymns when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan started speaking during the inaugural ceremony of the Kollam bypass Tuesday, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, prompting the CM to issue a warning. When Vijayan came to deliver his address, a section of the audience started chanting Saranam Ayyappa mantras, virtually as a mark of protest against the CPI(M)-led LDF government's stand over the Sabarimala women entry issue.

Giving a strong warning, the Chief Minister said some people are deliberately trying to create trouble. "It is better not to create unnecessary noise. Everyone should maintain the decorum of each programme. Do not take this as a venue for showing off. Some people come to the event just to make noise," he said and continued with his speech. Besides Modi, Governor justice P Sathasivam, MLAs and MPs were present at the dias when the incident happened. The LDF government's decision to implement the September 28 apex court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple had triggered widespread protest among devotees and right-wing groups who had staged state-wide namajapa (chanting of Ayyappa hymns) protests against it.

(With inputs from agencies.)