Kerala DGP Sreelekha hits out at temple's age-old practice, calls ritual 'a torture for boys'

Kerala DGP Sreelekha has called for an end to the age-old practice of boys between 5 and 12 performing rigorous rituals called ‘Kuthiyottam’ during the annual Pongala festivities at the Attukal Devi Temple in Trivandrum. This has created a row in the region. The DGP has hit out at the ritual, calling it a boy's prison cell in her blog. She goes on to say that young boys are put through rigorous mental and physical abuse for five days. Which includes piercing iron hooks into their skin being submerged in cold water and given measly meals.