Women’s wall in Kerala HIGHLIGHTS: A human chain, composed entirely of women, from Kasaragod district in northern Kerala to Thiruvananthapuram in the south took shape. (Express photo by Nithin)
Lakhs of women in Kerala took a pledge to protect the renaissance value as they formed a 620-km “wall” from Thiruvananthapuram to the northern district of Kasaragod. Marshalled by the Kerala government and a section of Hindu organisations, the wall was organised against the backdrop of the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, however, the content of the women’s pledge has no reference to the shrine. These Hindu organisations are among the ones that have supported the government’s stand on the entry of women of all ages into the temple. Read in Malayalam
The decision to stage the wall was taken earlier in December in a meeting of various Hindu organisations, which was convened by the CPI(M)-led government. Explaining the aim of forming a women’s wall, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Monday said, “The CPI(M) considered addressing women’s issues as part of the party’s class struggle. Such an initiative (women’s wall) is required to protect the renaissance tradition of the state.”
Women, who have agreed to take part in the event, will begin assembling by the side of the national highways across all 14 districts by the afternoon. The wall is likely to stand for about half an hour before dispersing.
Expressing solidarity, thousands of men also lined up parallel forming a second human 'wall'.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier expressed confidence that women, cutting across lines of caste and religion, would join the 'wall' to save Kerala from being "dragged back into the era of darkness." Health minister K K Shylaja led the 'Women's Wall' at Kasaragod and Karat was the last person at the end at Vellayambalam here.
CPM workers wounded in chettukund. (Express Photo)
Meanwhile, reports come in from Bekal in Kasarkod district of stone pelting aimed at the women.
Malayalam actress Rima Kallingal in Pictures. In a social media post, she said “Let us say hello to 2019 at the Vanitha Mathil event on Tuesday. Let us examine who we are as individuals, as human beings and as a society.”
Today's women wall formation was an aim to strengthen gender equality. Women should no longer be pushed into dark sides, says CPM leader Brinda Karat
Express Photo by Nithin
Women at University Stadoum area in Trivandrum. (Express Photo by Nithin)
Women actors across Kerala will gather to support the Vanitha Mathil. Actresses like Rima Kaling, Parvathi, Nina Kurup, Mala Parvathy and Sajitha Madathil will be present during the programme.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM leader Brinda Karat in Vellayambalam , Trivandrum to support womens wall that is expected to take shape shortly. (Express Photo by Nidhin)
Women begin to form the wall in Thrissur. (Express photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy)
Preparations begin for the 620- km womens wall in Ernakulam (Express Photo by Vishnu)
CPM leader Mohanan Mash and wife Lathika reach Muthalakkulam in Kozhikode ahead of the programme. ( Express Photo by Kiran Gangadharan)
Speaking on the Sabarimala issue, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said, "The NSS is not a political organisation but NSS members are free to choose political ideologies. NSS will face the Govt through Gandhian means. We will go to any length of the legal spectrum to fight for the Sabarimala cause."
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac will take part in the event in Thiruvananthapuram. Health Minister KK Shylaja will be the starting point of the women’s wall in Kasaragod while Politburo member Brinda Karat will be the concluding point in Thiruvananthapuram. All ministers in the government will take part across different districts.
Members of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, an organisation representing the numerically-strong Ezhava community, will take part. The Jacobite Syrian Church has said it will send it’s community members to be a part of the event. The Kerala Pulaya Maha Sabha (KPMS), that represents the Pulaya community, has also supported the event.
Women leaders and workers of all LDF constituents, notably the CPI(M) and the CPI, will take part in the event. Their families have been encouraged to participate too. Female leaders of CPM-allies like NCP, LJD, INL, JD(S) are also likely to take part in the event.
Women across 14 districts in Kerala will begin assembling by the side of the national highways by 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon. There will be a trial at 3:30 pm. Finally, at 4 pm, the programme will begin with the women standing beside each other, holding hands, resembling a brick wall. The participants would then take a pledge to uphold the renaissance values that marked the state’s reform movement. The wall is likely to stand for about half an hour before dispersing.
Lakhs of women are likely to stand shoulder-to-shoulder along a 620-km route traversing across Kerala. The programme has been planned by the ruling Left government as a mark of its commitment and allegiance to gender equality and social reforms.
Women in Kerala paint a wall ahead of the 620-km women's wall.
Welcome to the Indian Express LIVE blog on the "women's wall" to be staged across 14 districts of Kerala. A human chain, composed entirely of women, will be formed from Kasaragod district in northern Kerala to Thiruvananthapuram in the south today afternoon.