Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has informed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of his inability to attend the Global Ayyappa Summit on September 20 in Pamba, citing prior commitments. The summit, part of the Travancore Devaswom Board’s platinum jubilee celebrations, is set to take place on the banks of the sacred Pamba River near the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Stalin has deputed two ministers—P K Sekar Babu (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments) and Palanivel Thiagarajan (Information Technology)—to represent Tamil Nadu at the event.

The announcement follows a fierce backlash from the Kerala BJP, led by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who opposed the participation of Stalin and Vijayan. Chandrasekhar demanded public apologies to Hindus, accusing both leaders of disrespecting Hindu sentiments and Sabarimala traditions. He cited the Kerala government’s actions during the 2018 Sabarimala women’s entry controversy, including arrests of devotees, and criticized Stalin and his son, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, for past remarks against Sanatana Dharma.

In a letter to Vijayan, Stalin expressed regret for missing the summit, organized to strengthen pilgrim welfare and uphold Sabarimala’s traditions. The invitation, extended by Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan last week, sparked a political storm, with the BJP warning of street protests if the leaders attended without apologizing. Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty dismissed the threats, defending the summit as a unifying event for devotees. The controversy underscores tensions over religious and political sensitivities ahead of Kerala’s 2026 elections.

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