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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 8 (IANS) Kerala BJP on Wednesday protested in front of the Chief Minister’s official residence, demanding accountability over alleged mismanagement and looting at the famous Sabarimala temple.
State BJP president Rajiv Chandrashekhar led the protest and claimed that Hindu devotees have faced repeated attacks under the Left government.
Addressing the crowd, Chandrashekhar said, “For the last almost ten years, CM Vijayan has been attacking Hindu devotees. One cannot forget 2016, when people were fed up with Congress rule and demanded Vijayan’s resignation then.”
He said reports of large-scale looting of Hindu temples are now widespread, raising questions as to why such irregularities occur only in Hindu religious institutions.
Chandrashekhar warned the ruling CPI(M) and Congress that the BJP will no longer remain silent.
“People can no longer be fooled. We will not allow this to continue,” he said. They put forward specific demands, including the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan and the Board President and a thorough investigation by a central agency into the functioning of the Travancore Devaswom Board over the past 30 years.
“We will go to any extent to ensure that the 30-year report of the TDB should be published,” he said.
The protest comes amid increasing investigation into the ongoing gold plating issue at Sabarimala, which has led to uproar in the Kerala Assembly for three consecutive days. However, the BJP has no representation in the 140-member assembly.
The controversy revolves around the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idols, which were allegedly taken to Chennai without proper authorisation, sparking debate over procedural lapses and adherence to temple traditions.
Assembly proceedings were repeatedly disrupted, forcing the Speaker to intervene and temporarily adjourn the House. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, speaking on the issue for the first time, condemned the opposition’s disruptive tactics and confirmed that all legal and administrative actions, including the SIT investigation, were proceeding impartially.
Chandrashekhar’s protest highlighted the BJP’s intention to make the temple administration a major political issue, indicating that the party will continue to press for administrative transparency, accountability and a full investigation into the alleged irregularities at Sabarimala.
The party has also stressed the need to address the grievances of devotees and ensure the sanctity of one of the most revered temples in Kerala.
–IANS
SG/DPB