Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru stated they have decided to lock the temple and handover the keys and leave, if women entered the temple.
He also said that he had already discussed the matter with Kandararu Mohanaru, the elder member of the Tantri family.
“I stand with the devotees. I do not have any other option,” Kandararu Rajeevaru said.
A woman journalist from Andhra Pradesh Kavitha Jakkala and a Malayali activist Rehna Fathima were trying to enter the temple amid mounting protests.
A large group of devotees happened to block them at the Nadappanthal. Later, IG Sreejith discussed the issue with the women and they decided to return.
