Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan questioned the media on the identity of feminist activist Trupti Desai, responding to a question posed on whether the government would allow an activist like her to trek to the Sabarimala temple, as reported by Mathrubhumi.

“Who is she? Has she previously contested elections? Isn’t it the journalists who should find out who she is?”, he asked. The press meet was convened after an all-party meet that was organised by him. The meeting was a failure with both BJP and Congress walking out, citing solidarity with the devotees.

In the meeting, Vijayan urged that no violence should take place at Sabarimala as it is a place of worship of national importance. Interestingly, the government has doubled security, blocking off devotees until Friday.

Activist Trupti Desai who had vowed to visit Sabarimala, was stranded at the Cochin Airport after hundreds of devotees blocked her and no cab driver hailed her. She, however, compounded the matter by saying that she wouldn’t go back to Maharashtra without taking darshan and stated that Kerala government had promised her protection.