Protests turned violent across the Indian state of Kerala on Wednesday, Jan. 2, after two women defied a centuries-old ban and entered a Hindu temple.
Protesters in Kochi set an effigy of Kerala state chief, Pinarayi Vijayan, on fire claiming he was fault for encouraging women and girls to visit the Sabarimala hill shrine. Protesters also clashed with police and some were later detained.
India's Supreme Court in September ordered the authorities to lift the ban on women and girls of aged between 10 to 50 years from entering the temple, which draws millions of worshippers each year. (Reuters).
