Women who wanted to enter the Sabarimala temple did so with the intention of disturbing law and order, Union minister K J Alphons said Monday.
Talking to the media, Mr Alphons questioned the intentions of a 'Muslim' and a 'Christian' woman attempting to go to Sabarimala and alleged they were not there because of their love for Lord Ayappa but to create a law and order situation.
"Who is trying to disrupt Sabarimala Temple? A Muslim lady who doesn't even go to mosque. She tries to go to Sabarimala to prove a point. There was a Christian girl who doesn't even go to church, she was going to Sabarimala just to be there before cameras," he alleged.
"I think this is not acceptable. I like democracy, I like free speech...When you do things which are meant to disrupt the peaceful existence of a society, especially in a place like Kerala where people live completely in harmony and there is absolutely no communal tension. When somebody does this, then what happens? I think this is completely unfair," he said.
After the Supreme Court last month permitted the entry of women belonging to all age groups in the hilltop shrine, the temple opened its doors on October 17, but closed on Monday following huge protests.
The protestors did not allow any women in the "prohibited" age group to enter the temple premises.
According to latest figures, the Kerala Police arrested 3,505 people for creating trouble in the temple town and other places between October 16 and 22.
Red Alert Issued For Kerala's Wayanad Amid Heavy Rain Forecast Kerala Plus Two SAY Result 2024 Out, Check Details Case Against Kerala Doctor, 57, For Misbehaving With Teen At His Clinic Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Biden Says Could Drop Election Bid If "Medical Condition" Emerged Russia Says It's Ready To Work With Any US Leader 3 People Die After Drowning In Lake In Telangana: Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.