Nimisha Bijo, the Malayalam television serial actor who is facing a probe for stepping into the Aranmula temple’s snake boat while wearing footwear, complained on Wednesday that she is receiving verbal abuse and threats from unknown people, Onmanorama reported.
On Monday, Thiruvalla police registered a case against the actor based on a complaint filed by the Puthukulangara Palliyoda Seva Samithi.
Palliyodams or snake boats are used by the Aranmula temple for the famous traditional water procession in the Pampa river. Each snake boat is owned by the respective palliyodakara.
According to the New Indian Express report, Palliyoda Seva Sangham President KS Rajan said that entering palliyodam and palliyoda pura (shelter) wearing footwear is prohibited. “She entered palliyodam wearing footwear without the permission of the authorities concerned. So, we sent a letter to Puthukulangara Palliyoda Seva Samithi. After this, they lodged a complaint with the police on Monday,” he added.
The case has been registered against Nimisha and a friend who accompanied her under IPC section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot). No arrest has been made so far and the offence is bailable.
Meanwhile, Nimisha told the media on Wednesday that she has been facing abuse and threats on social media and via phone over the incident.
Recommended
Addressing the media, the actor said that she did not know that stepping into a palliyodam was wrong and that it was dedicated to temple rituals. She further added that she had removed the photos of herself on the sacred boat from her social media handle as soon as she got to know that what she did was wrong and against the customs.
“But, since then, I am facing threats and verbal abuse from unknown people,” she said. Noting that those making the threats were not even sparing her family members, Nimisha added that she would not have stepped into the boat if anyone from the temple management or the local people had warned her against it.