Kerala Assembly in Chaos Over Sabarimala Gold Theft Claims
The Kerala Assembly witnessed a second day of turmoil as the Opposition continued to disrupt proceedings over allegations of gold theft at the revered Sabarimala temple. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP have accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of mishandling the investigation and failing to protect the temple’s sanctity.
Allegations of Missing Gold
The controversy erupted after an audit revealed discrepancies in the temple’s inventory, suggesting that a significant quantity of gold ornaments offered by devotees had gone missing. The Opposition has pointed fingers at the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple and is controlled by the LDF government, alleging negligence and possible collusion.
Opposition’s Outcry in the Assembly
On the second consecutive day of the Assembly session, Opposition members stormed the well of the House, demanding a thorough probe. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused the government of attempting to cover up the scandal, stating, “The government has no moral right to continue in power if it cannot protect the wealth of the people’s temple.”
BJP Joins the Fray
The BJP also intensified its criticism, with its MLAs raising slogans and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. BJP state president K. Surendran alleged a larger conspiracy, questioning, “Where has the gold gone? Who is responsible for this sacrilege?”
Government’s Defense
Amid the uproar, Minister for Devaswom Kadakampally Surendran defended the government, calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated. He emphasized that the audit process was ongoing and that the government was committed to transparency.
Calls for Judicial Probe
The Opposition remained unconvinced, demanding a judicial probe and the suspension of TDB officials until the investigation is complete. The standoff led to repeated adjournments, with Speaker M.B. Rajesh struggling to restore order.
Sabarimala’s Controversial History
The Sabarimala temple, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites, has been at the center of several controversies in recent years. The gold theft allegations have further fueled tensions, with devotees expressing outrage on social media using hashtags like #SabarimalaGoldScam and #JusticeForSabarimala.
Political Implications
Political analysts suggest the controversy could severely impact the LDF government, already facing criticism over Kerala’s financial crisis and law and order. “If not handled carefully, it could dent the LDF’s credibility,” said commentator N.P. Chandran.
Public Demand for Accountability
For devotees and citizens, the issue transcends the missing gold, touching on the sanctity of a spiritually significant temple. As the debate intensifies, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver answers and ensure justice.
Stay tuned to NextMinuteNews for the latest updates on this developing story.
