The Keralites welcomed the New Year in a different way. Lakhs of women in Kerala participated in the 620 km-long wall. It is a state-sponsored campaign extending from the northern tip of Kasaragod to the southern end.

The ‘Women’s wall’ concept is meant to promote gender equality. In the wake of furious protests in Sabarimala, the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict to allow all women to enter the temple.

The Wall was formed between 4 and 4.15 PM, and all the participants had taken a pledge for promoting gender equality and renaissance values.

The Health Minister K K Shylaja led the chain at Kasargod and senior CPM leader Brinda Karat was the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram.

All the government employees also became part of this Wall. Several Ministers and District Collectors supervised this program to make it a grand success.

In this context, several schools declared holiday in the afternoon and the Universities that have examinations yesterday postponed to avoid traffic chaos.

The Kerala government wants to implement the verdict of the Supreme Court and allow the women of all ages to enter the temple of Lord Ayyappa. Yet, it could not succeed in its efforts due to severe protests from devotees.

In this scenario, the government suggested at a meeting for a Women’s wall to be formed to counter the massive protests, and to uphold gender equality.

Women of all ages irrespective of their caste and religion were called to be part of this Women’s Wall.

The event was organized by the ruling LDF with the support of more than 176 socio-political organizations.

Nearly 1.25 lakh volunteers of the Kudambashree Mission also participated in the event.

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