As a trainee photographer in 1990, I had no idea that a single image could shake the system. What I captured that day at Sabarimala Temple turned into a nightmare for the police force and led to an unprecedented government response.
The photograph showed policemen misbehaving with devotees, pushing and shoving them as they lined up for darshan of Lord Ayyappa. Once published, the image caused an outcry in the legislative assembly, leading to a political storm. The government was forced to act, sending the entire police contingent for retraining, a rare disciplinary action at the time.
This was a defining moment that taught me the power of photojournalism—a single frame can hold authorities accountable, stir public sentiment, and demand change.
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