On September 28, 2018, Supreme Court lifted the gendered ban on entry of menstruating women into the Sabarimala Temple. This led to widespread opposition and violent protests from Hindu fundamentalist groups; not to forget nationwide debates. 

During the time, a few brave women even went to the extent of stepping foot inside the temple, to exercise their rights; only to be condemned, assaulted and even disowned by family. Kanakadurga was one of these women. 

Only recently Supreme Court reviewed the petitions and reserved their initial verdict, according to The Indian Express. 

India Today

Although SC has lifted the ban, when two women tried to enter the Sabarimala temple, it was met with nationwide uproar. The temple was shut down and purification rituals were undertaken by the priests to cleanse the structure. 

Rediff

Now, women from all over the country are coming together in a virtual move to stand in solidarity and to support the entry of women into the Sabarimala Temple. They are doing so by virtually checking in to Sabarimala, on Facebook, and using the hashtag #SabKaSabarimala. 

The move has, over a short period of time, garnered quite an audience; and has even led to the creation of an Event page on Facebook.  

b’Event screenshot’

The idea behind the movement asks some simple questions: 

What if thousands of women do what just 3 women have managed to achieve till date? What if thousands of women start a revolution which millions have only dreamed of doing for years? So, what if it is impossible to do it physically? 

The hashtag has since then been going viral on Facebook and Twitter, where women are standing up; not just for the rights of women to be able to enter the temple. It is also being symbolised as a move to exercise the basic right to equality and freedom of expression. 

I’m checking in to the Sabarimala Temple today to stand with & for the entry of all women into the Temple. And I ask you to stand with me for all women. Check in to Sabarimala on Facebook & Instagram using the hashtag #SabKaSabarimala This isn’t about whether or not this is a religious matter. This is about a point – that women cannot be harmed just because they set foot on ‘sacred land’. This is about asking ourselves whether we have let our idea of religion make us forget about humanity and equality. This is about millions of Indian women standing FOR those 3 women who ‘dared’ to enter because you shouldn’t have to ‘dare’ to enter the house of God, whoever you may be. #SabKaSabarimala #womenforwomen #standtogether #women #empower #dare @dessidre @sonalithatsall @aishwaryadharni

A post shared by Arushi Kapoor (@curlmoohi) on

I’m checking in to the Sabarimala Temple today to stand with & for the entry of all women into the Temple. And I ask you to stand with me for all women. Check in to Sabarimala on Facebook & Instagram using the hashtag #SabKaSabarimala This isn’t about whether or not this is a religious matter. This is about a point – that women cannot be harmed just because they set foot on sacred land. God made us all in his/her image. He made us all as his children. This is about whether or not we believe in an equal God. In a just God. In a peaceful and loving God who would look down upon violence against women committed more so in the name of religion. This is about asking ourselves whether we have let our idea of religion make us forget about humanity and equality. This is about millions of Indian women standing FOR those 3 women who ‘dared’ to enter because you shouldn’t have to ‘dare’ to enter the house of God, whoever you may be. #SabKaSabarimala #womenforwomen #standtogether #women #empower #dare

A post shared by Dessidre Fleming (@dessidre) on

Men have also come in support of the movement.

The idea is to stand against violence in the name of religion, targeted towards women. It is a stand against discrimination; not necessarily religion. 

You can join the movement, too by attending the virtual event and checking in on Facebook using the hashtag to support the movement.