Kerala's sensational activist Bindu Ammini, who was the first woman to enter the Sabarimala temple after it opened for women in 2018, was brutally attacked by a man on Wednesday. The incident happened at the Kozhikode beach and the videos of the attack are doing the rounds on social media. In the video, a man is seen hitting the activist as she defends herself against him, till another man in the vicinity pulls the assailant back while a few others can be seen watching the attack. “I arrived on the beach to consult one of my lawyers. All of a sudden, a person came and blocked my two-wheeler, and started abusing me and showered blows on me. He ran away when some of the onlookers intervened. This was a planned attack, Bindhu told the media.

On Thursday, the police identified the attacker, and was arrested. According to reports, the police have identified the attacker as ‘Mohandas’. An FIR has been filed under Indian Penal Code sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 509 (punishment for insulting the modesty of a woman).

This isn’t the first time Bindhu has been subjected to a brutal attack. The activist was admitted to the hospital last month after a speeding autorickshaw hit her head and sustained serious injuries. In November 2019, Ammini was attacked with chili spray by a man outside the Kochi Police Commissioner’s office. Following back-to-back attacks, Bindhu Ammini told the media that the police in the state stands for the Sangh Parivar, who according to her had been targeting her after the Sabarimala campaign. She also alleged that the police had not conducted a proper investigation into any of the attacks on her. “I am not safe here anymore, the only option is to leave the country and seek asylum,” an aggrieved Bindhu Ammini said.

Hindu fanatics assaulted Bindu Ammini in Kerala. She is on target after her entry in Sabrimala temple. Frightening.

Repeat attacks on her are not possible without the protection of the govt on the goons. The RW & LW unity are exposed.pic.twitter.com/w7KkwXrZH6

— Mission Ambedkar (@MissionAmbedkar) January 6, 2022