Sabarimala activist Bindu Ammini survived a hit-and-run incident on the night of December 18, 2021. She alleges it was planned by Sangh Parivar goons riding an auto-rickshaw. While the vehicle has not yet been identified, Ammini said that the state police are equally guilty for failing to provide police protection for her and other women activists.
Speaking to SabrangIndia, Ammini said she was returning home at 9:25 PM on Saturday when the public vehicle hurtled towards her. Barely escaping a fatal injury, she suffered severe wounds to her head, mouth and teeth. At the Kozhikode medical hospital, she received five stitches on both her lips. The police registered a case for attempt to murder.
“I have been subject to similar incidents in the past as well. However, my complaint is against the lack of police protection that was promised to me by the Supreme Court. The lack of the same also amounts to contempt of court,” said Ammini, who is among the four women who entered the Sabarimala temple in 2019. Until then, the Kerala government provided police protection to the women entering the temple. However, the same was withdrawn towards the end of the year.
Then in November 2019, Ammini was attacked with chili powder and pepper spray at the Kochi commissioner office when she again tried to enter the shrine. Since then, Ammini voiced an intention to file a case of contempt against the administration for not providing protection to women in the 10 – 50 years age group.
“All the responsibility of this incident falls on the state and police administration. They have a duty to protect my life. This shows that they too are offenders,” she said, voicing her resolve to approach the human rights commission.
Meanwhile, the Koyilandy police say they had sent an ambulance as soon as they heard about the incident. CI Sandeepkumar said, “We have not identified the offenders. The matter is still at the investigation stage.”
Ammini was also an active part of the farmers’ protest at the Ghazipur border during the 380-day movement. As an act of solidarity, the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti condemned the attack and demanded that the Kerala government immediately arrest the attackers and provide security to Ammini.
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Teesta Setalavad talks to Bindu Ammini and Kanakadurga, the first women to enter Sabarimala temple