Speaking about how Kanakadurga and Bindu became the first pilgrims to worship at Sabarimala on 2 January, he said that there was a complete plan in place.

“Kanakadurga and the other woman didn’t climb the 18 steps. They were brought in an ambulance and they entered the shrine through the VIP entrance,” he said. He added that she hadn’t even taken the vrat, that one needs to, before going on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala.

Confirming rumours, Bharath said, ‘My entire family including Kanakadurga are CPI (M) workers and supporters. But the rest of the family doesn’t stand by this agenda of the party. We are a family that respects age-old traditions so we don’t support the entry of women into Sabarimala.’

He claims they haven’t received any threats and have no whereabouts of his sister.