THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Nov 17: A Hindu group on Saturday called for a shutdown in Kerala following the "detention" of few religious leaders the previous night from the Sabarimala temple premises.
The most prominent among the detained on Friday night were Hindu Iykavedi (HI) President and senior BJP leader K.P. Sasikala. She was detained while proceeding towards the Lord Ayyappa shrine.
Carrying the customary holy kit 'Irumudi Kettu' on her head, Sasikala was stopped by the police near the temple. She was asked not to proceed any further as the temple had closed at 10 p.m, but Sasikala refused to do so.
She was taken into preventive custody and currently Sasikala was lodged at the Ranni police station..
Protesting their President's detendtion, the Hindu Iykavedi leaders called for the shutdown backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party state unit.
Shops and other businesses were forced to down their shutters by HI, BJP and Sangh Parivar activists.
Barring private vehicles, all other public transport vehicles stayed off the roads.
Schools and educational institutions are closed for the day.
State BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai told the media in Kozhikode on Saturday that no one knew the reason why Sasikala was detained. - IANS
