The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly announced a resolute boycott of all House proceedings on Wednesday, demanding the immediate resignation of Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan over alleged irregularities involving the gold-plated coverings of the Dwarapalaka idols at the revered Sabarimala temple. For the third consecutive day, UDF legislators disrupted the session, storming the Well of the House during question hour with placards and a banner, raising slogans to protest what they describe as a grave breach of trust in the management of the Lord Ayyappa shrine’s sacred assets.

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan delivered a scathing indictment as the session commenced, accusing the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of complicity in the mishandling of the temple’s gold-clad copper plates. “The Dwarapalaka idols, guardians of Sabarimala’s sanctity, have been desecrated—their gold stripped and sold off,” Satheesan declared, vowing non-cooperation until Vasavan steps down and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) members are removed. “This is not mere oversight; it’s an affront to millions of devotees and a plunder of 4.5 kilograms of sacred gold.”

The controversy centers on findings that the gold-plated panels, removed in September 2025 for re-plating without prior approval, had mysteriously lost 4.5 kg since their last handling in 2019. The Kerala High Court, responding on October 6, ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the weight discrepancy, which surfaced during legal proceedings over the unauthorized transfer of the claddings to a Chennai-based firm. The court’s earlier directive, issued last week, mandated a comprehensive inventory of Sabarimala’s valuables, including gold offerings, under retired Justice K T Sankaran’s supervision, highlighting systemic gaps in temple asset management.

Also Read: Kerala Assembly Chaos: UDF Demands Minister's Resignation Over Gold Plating Irregularities

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh countered the UDF’s stance, questioning their refusal to initiate a formal debate. “If the opposition is serious, why shy away from tabling a motion to discuss this openly?” Rajesh challenged, as Speaker A N Shamseer adjourned the House amid unrelenting protests. The LDF defended the TDB, with Vasavan asserting that procedures were followed and the weight reduction pertained to copper, not gold, totaling under 0.5 kg of plating. However, the opposition dismissed these claims as a cover-up, intensifying calls for a central investigation to uncover potential mismanagement or misappropriation.

Sabarimala, a spiritual beacon attracting 50 million pilgrims annually and generating ₹300 crore in revenue in 2024, stands at the heart of Kerala’s cultural and economic identity. The scandal has sparked outrage among devotees, with groups threatening to disrupt the upcoming pilgrimage season if accountability falters. The BJP, seizing the moment, demanded a detailed financial audit of temple assets, drawing parallels to past controversies over mismanaged sacred treasures.

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