Sabarimala row: BJP intensifies protests against arrest of party leader Surendran

Amidst chants of ‘Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa’, the BJP leaders at various places in Kerala staged protests against the arrest of the party's state general secretary, K Surendran. He was arrested by the Kerala Police at 3 AM on Sunday citing preventive measures against his entry into the Sabarimala temple. The protesters said that he was carrying irumudikettu (an offering to Lord Ayyappa) and was wearing mala, and was all set to get inside the temple as a devotee. The BJP said that he has been illegally detained.