Kerala Assembly: Congress-led UDF Protest Over Sabarimala Gold Scandal, Session Cut Short

The Kerala Legislative Assembly was thrown into turmoil on Monday as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) unleashed a fiery protest, forcing an early adjournment over a brewing scandal involving the alleged theft of gold from the revered Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple. The opposition’s relentless demand for Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan’s resignation transformed the House into a battleground, with slogans, banners, and heated exchanges underscoring a deepening political crisis that has gripped the state.

The drama unfolded at 9 AM when Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan took the floor, accusing the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-controlled Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) of gross mismanagement in the gold plating of the temple’s Dwarapalaka idols. Branding the issue a “betrayal of devotees,” he called for Vasavan’s immediate ouster, claiming the government had previously blocked discussions on the matter. As Speaker A N Shamseer pressed ahead with the Question Hour, UDF MLAs stormed the well of the House, hoisting placards that read, “Those who stole Lord Ayyappa’s gold are temple thieves!” Their chants echoed through the chamber, drowning out all attempts at order.

Shamseer’s pleas for calm fell on deaf ears, and the protest escalated when the opposition unfurled a massive banner blocking the Speaker’s podium, a bold act of defiance. Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh hit back, accusing the UDF of dodging a proper debate out of fear. “This government welcomes discussion on any issue, but the opposition’s antics are cowardly,” he declared, noting that the session had already seen robust debates on most days. Education Minister V Sivankutty and Industries Minister P Rajeev also slammed the UDF, with Sivankutty’s sharp remarks sparking a verbal clash that further inflamed tensions.

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Amid the chaos, a few bills were rushed to subject committees, but the unrelenting uproar forced Shamseer to adjourn the House until Tuesday morning. The confrontation stems from allegations of gold pilferage at Sabarimala, centered on the 2019 gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idols and pedestals, sponsored by a Bengaluru-based businessman. A recent recovery of a missing pedestal from a relative’s home in Thiruvananthapuram, coupled with claims of a significant gold shortfall, has fueled accusations of theft and negligence. The controversy traces back to 1998, when gold donated for the sanctum’s plating first raised suspicions of mismanagement, now compounded by questions over the TDB’s oversight.

Both the Congress and BJP have demanded a CBI probe, alleging systemic looting under the LDF’s watch. The Kerala High Court has already ordered an investigation, appointing a retired judge to oversee a comprehensive audit of the temple’s gold inventory. For Sabarimala’s millions of devotees, who offer gold and trek the sacred 18 steps annually, the scandal is deeply personal, shaking their faith in the temple’s sanctity. Social media platforms like X are ablaze with outrage, with hashtags trending and devotees sharing stories of their pilgrimages alongside calls for justice.

As the Assembly braces for another contentious session, the Sabarimala gold row looms large over Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s government. With elections on the horizon, the LDF faces mounting pressure to restore trust, while the opposition seizes the moment to rally public sentiment. The unfolding drama promises to keep Kerala on edge, as the sacred and the political collide in a battle for accountability.

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