Pathanamthitta: The BJP has called for a hartal (strike) in Pathanamthitta on Friday in connection with the death of Sivadasan, whose body was found under mysterious circumstances at Kambakathumvalavu on the Pathanamthitta-Pampa main trunk road leading to Sabarimala, Kerala. Sivadasan, who had gone missing since November 17, was found dead on Thursday. 

The BJP alleged that when Sivadasan’s cousin went to the police station to file a complaint, it fell on deaf ears. The  Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajom and the Hindu Aikyavedi have called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Pathanamthitta district on Friday, alleging that police’s action has led to Sivadasan's death.

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BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai said, "We stand against the atheist people, and we will always be with the devotees. For 50 years, the communist party is trying to destroy the devotees’ sentiments and not we won't allow that cruel act. Pinarayi Vijayan, who allowed criminals in the police force to rule the roost, cannot wash his hands of the heinous crime committed on an Ayyappa devotee.”   

According to police reports, the Pandalam police had registered a case about a man missing based on a complaint received from Sivadasan’s family. Meanwhile, the police have clarified that the action against the protesters at Nilakkal and Pampa took place on October 16 and 17. And Sivadasan had reportedly gone to Sabarimala only on October 18.