Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling CPI(M)’s Hindu outreach drive has hit a major roadblock, with the Sabarimala temple gold scandal shaking Kerala’s political landscape.
Ironically, whatever mileage the party had gained from the much-hyped Global Ayyappa Conclave last month has evaporated.
What is unfolding is a shameful story of greed, fraud, and conspiracy—one that exposes a complete lack of reverence on the part of temple authorities toward a shrine held sacred by millions of Ayyappa devotees across India and abroad.
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In brief, the story so far is this: In 1998, liquor baron Vijay Mallya—now facing extradition proceedings for alleged financial crimes in India—had the roof and portals of the Sabarimala Temple’s sanctum sanctorum gold-plated. Two decades later, in 2019, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which governs the temple, decided to refurbish two gold-clad Dwarapalaka idols flanking the ornately plated portal.
The TDB entrusted the task to one Unnikrishnan Potty, who presented himself as a “sponsor” claiming expertise in such work and an ability to mobilise funds. After taking possession of the idols, he allegedly transported them to various locations and raised unaccounted money from devotees. When the idols were returned to the shrine, a substantial portion of the original gold plating was reportedly missing.
The TDB once again removed certain ‘sheets’ from the idols recently for additional maintenance. The lid blew off the scandal following a litigation that challenged a fresh TDB proposal to send several holy artefacts outside the shrine for repair.
After the scam came to light, new revelations and embellishments emerged from multiple quarters, suggesting that what has surfaced so far may be just the tip of the iceberg.
Significantly, the CPI(M)-led LDF has been in power since 2016, with its nominees occupying key positions on the TDB throughout, including its presidents during various tenures. This makes the regime directly accountable for the million-dollar questions raised by the scandal.
Public outrage is mounting as the case continues to unravel, with many calling it the worst instance of temple loot ever reported in Kerala.
Amid the government’s and TDB’s failure to offer a convincing explanation of what transpired, the Kerala High Court has stepped in and ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP).
In an apparent bid to make a virtue out of adversity, the government has welcomed the court’s decision.
Expectedly, the opposition Congress-led UDF and the BJP were quick to weaponise the scandal for political mileage. The UDF, after disrupting proceedings in the State Assembly, has demanded the resignation of Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan.
Compounding the government’s troubles, former TDB presidents and members since 2016 have failed to provide a logical explanation for the controversy. Their contradictory statements have only deepened the mystery.
The episode has dealt a serious blow to the CPI(M)’s Hindu outreach initiative—part of a tactical strategy to consolidate its support base among the majority community.
The party’s outreach had gained traction after the Ayyappa Sangamam, which drew backing from prominent community organisations such as the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam) representing the Ezhava community, and the Nair Service Society (NSS).
Adding to the ruling front’s discomfiture, the uproar over the missing temple gold has erupted just months before the Assembly elections, which will be preceded by local body polls.
Even more crucially, the controversy has broken out on the eve of the three-month-long peak pilgrimage season at Sabarimala.
