Chennai sources stated that Selvi a lawyer and activist from Manithi said "Unlike men who go to Sabarimala under the guidance of a ‘gurusamy’, women have no such person to lead. We are organizing them to exercise their rights”. Meanwhile around 50 women, led by Chennai based women right’s group Manithi are all set to visit Sabarimala on December 23. Selvi said “All the women visiting the temple would observe celibacy for five days before going to Sabarimala and women from Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha will join together and women’s groups from Kerala, like the Adivasi women’s group, will lead us there".
As per report Manithi had written to the Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking support to visit the temple. Selvi said ”We got a response informing us that our email has been forwarded to police officers in Pathanamthitta to provide help during our visit" adding that since they are going as a group, they had derive strength from their unity.
Meanwhile after Manithi announced their trip on their Facebook page on 16, more women have approached us to help them to go to Sabarimala. She added "Despite receiving discouragement online, the group has not wavered and there has not been any direct threat. Several people have left messages and comments online but that will not bring us down".
