Hindu organisations in Kerala have come out strongly against the LDF’s decision to host the event alleging "hidden motives" behind the move.
Published Aug 28, 2025 | 3:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 28, 2025 | 3:04 PM
Sabarimala Temple
Synopsis: The controversy around the upcoming Ayyappa Sangamam deepened on 22 August after Devaswom Minister Vasavan personally travelled to Tamil Nadu to invite Chief Minister MK Stalin as the chief guest of the event. The move triggered angry protests from Hindu organisations, who argue that Stalin’s presence is an affront to devotees.
Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala has once again become a flashpoint in Kerala’s political and religious discourse — this time over the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s decision to host a Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pamba on 20 September.
Billed as a platform to bring together devotees, organisations, and associations inspired by the shrine’s spiritual message of Tatvamasi (“I am that”), the conference has sparked heated debate, with critics dismissing it as a political gimmick and the government insisting it is part of a larger mission to shape the future of the pilgrim centre and elevate it to the stature of a global pilgrim centre.
Nestled atop the Sabarimala hill within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Perinad Village, Pathanamthitta, the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple stands as the most revered Sastha shrine in Kerala.
Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, who is revered as the son of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu in his Mohini avatar, the legend is that the deity is worshipped as a celibate yogi in deep meditation, inspiring millions of devotees every year.
A major pilgrimage centre in South India, Sabarimala draws lakhs of devotees annually, who climb the sacred hill to seek blessings and partake in age-old traditions.
The devotees are majorly from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.
Managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the temple is also a significant revenue generator.
According to TDB figures, the recently concluded Mandala Mahotsavam witnessed a remarkable revenue surge, collecting Rs 297.07 crore, up from Rs 214.83 crore during the same period last year.
The logo of Global Ayyappa Sangamam
The announcement of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pampa, set for 20 September, has raised eyebrows—especially given that it is taking place under a Communist-led government.
Officially, Minister for Cooperation and Devaswoms VN Vasavan insists that the event is solely the initiative of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), organised to mark its 75th anniversary.
“TDB alone couldn’t have managed such a programme. The State government is merely providing assistance,” said Vasavan.
Addressing allegations that government machinery is being misused, Vasavan clarified that neither state funds nor TDB resources are being utilised for the event. “We plan to raise funds entirely through sponsorships,” he said.
According to the Minister, the Sangamam will host around 3,000 delegates and will focus on presenting the masterplan for developing Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage centre. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback, share experiences, and offer suggestions for improving facilities for pilgrims.
The organisers also aim to ensure broad participation, inviting spiritual organisations, Malayali associations from across India and abroad, Lok Kerala Sabha members, Ayyappa Seva Sanghams, and even ministers from neighbouring states.
The conclave is designed not only as a celebration of the TDB’s milestone but also as a platform to consolidate views on the future development of Sabarimala. Delegates will also be able to offer prayers at the temple during the event.
Sabarimala Temple
To ensure smooth execution, a massive reception committee of 1,001 members has been constituted.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan serves as chief patron, with Speaker, Ministers VN Vasavan and K Rajan, and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan as patrons.
Other ministers, the Chief Secretary, and the State Police Chief are sub-patrons.
Yet, despite official claims that the event is entirely a TDB initiative, insiders and observers note that the planning and execution bear the unmistakable imprint of the CPI(M).
Far from being a neutral religious conclave, the Sangamam appears to be a carefully orchestrated political project under the party’s guidance—an aspect the government prefers to downplay but which is increasingly hard to ignore.
Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
M K Stalin
The controversy around the upcoming Ayyappa Sangamam deepened on 22 August after Devaswom Minister Vasavan personally travelled to Tamil Nadu to invite Chief Minister MK Stalin as the chief guest of the event.
The move triggered angry protests from Hindu organisations, who argue that Stalin’s presence is an affront to devotees.
Their objection is rooted in the controversial remarks made by Stalin’s son and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in 2023, when he equated Sanatana Dharma with “dengue, malaria, and coronavirus” and called for its eradication.
Stalin had publicly defended his son then, further cementing the resentment.
The BJP has also seized the opportunity.
State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar lashed out, comparing Stalin’s possible appearance at the Sangamam to “Hitler turning up for the protection of Jews.”
Later, on 25 August, Stalin informed the state government that he will not come due to ‘prior commitments.’ And further deputed two Ministers – Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments PK Sekarbabu and Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan – to represent his government at the event.
Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan launched a scathing attack on the CPI(M)-led Left government over the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam.
He alleged that the event, being held under the aegis of the TDB and the state government, was nothing but an exercise in “appeasing majority communalism.”
“Since when did the CPI(M) have such devotion towards Sabarimala? This newfound love for Lord Ayyappa comes only after their humiliating defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. When minorities turned away from them, they switched to majority appeasement,” Satheesan told reporters.
He recalled how the CPI(M) had once triggered unprecedented trouble at Sabarimala during the women’s entry controversy.
“Back then, the party said it would never back down from the Renaissance Committee. But when they lost in 2019, they went door-to-door apologising. Today, the same party talks of devotion and organises programmes to flatter the Sangh Parivar. Why not conduct the event jointly with them, since they seem to be together on everything now?” Satheesan asked mockingly.
He also accused the government of issuing an order making him the patron of the Sangamam without his consent.
“We are not with those who indulge in fraud. The chief minister claims all cases related to Sabarimala have been withdrawn. But many still walk in and out of courts. He is doing whatever he pleases,” Satheesan said.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar tore into Pinarayi Vijayan and his Tamil Nadu counterpart MK Stalin, accusing them of “political hypocrisy” in the name of faith.
He said the decision to make Stalin the chief guest at the upcoming Ayyappa Sangamam is nothing but a desperate election stunt by the Left and its INDIA bloc allies.
“Both Vijayan and Stalin are ‘atheists’ misusing Ayyappa’s name,” Chandrashekhar added.
Devotees at Sabarimala
Chandrasekhar recalled how the CPI(M) government had “inflicted police violence on Ayyappa devotees, jailed hundreds of bhakts, and trampled upon sacred traditions at Sabarimala,” while Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi have “openly mocked and insulted Hindus and Sanatana Dharma” for years.
“These insults are etched deeply in the minds of Hindus and will never be forgotten or forgiven,” he said.
Calling the government’s sudden embrace of Ayyappa worshippers before elections a “fool-the-people strategy,” Chandrasekhar said that both Pinarayi and Stalin must first apologise to devotees, withdraw cases filed against bhakts, and seek forgiveness from Lord Ayyappa before trying to attend such events.
“Without that, BJP karyakartas will strongly resist any attempt to misuse devotees’ faith for political gains,” he warned.
Comparing the act to “Hitler standing up for Jews” and “Osama bin Laden becoming an apostle of peace,” Chandrasekhar said such hypocrisy cannot fool people anymore.
“For decades, these parties have thrived on lies and deception. But Hindus, Malayalis, and Tamils remember every insult hurled at their faith. The politics of betrayal and hypocrisy is outdated—people will not be fooled this time,” he asserted.
Hindu organisations in Kerala have come out strongly against the state government’s decision to host the event alleging “hidden motives” behind the move.
Leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sabarimala Karma Samithi, and Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samithi warned of united protests, recalling the government’s role in facilitating the entry of young women into the shrine in 2019.
VHP state president Viji Thampi termed the event unconstitutional, questioning why a secular government should organise a religious congregation.
He alleged that the summit—pitched as a cultural event to unite devotees—was a ploy to “desecrate” the temple, especially with activist Bindu Ammini declaring her participation.
Thampi also criticised the invitation extended to MK Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi, citing their “anti-Sanatana Dharma” stance.
Hindu groups vowed to block any attempt to “violate temple traditions” and warned the government of strong resistance.
BJP MPs staging protest in front of the Parliament against the police action at Sabarimala in 2019
In 2019, the Sabarimala temple in Kerala became the epicenter of intense conflict after the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the shrine, breaking the centuries-old bar on women of menstruating age.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by the CPI(M), declared it would implement the order, projecting itself as a custodian of constitutional values.
However, this triggered widespread protests spearheaded by the BJP, RSS, and right-wing outfits, while the Congress also opposed the government’s stance, citing sentiments of devotees.
The hill shrine witnessed unprecedented tension—thousands of protesters clashed with police, hundreds were arrested, and several cases were registered.
Women attempting to enter faced hostility, threats, and violent resistance.
The temple precincts turned into a political battlefield, with the CPI(M) holding firm on its commitment to uphold the verdict, even as the unrest sharply polarised Kerala’s political and social landscape.
Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the upcoming event was politically motivated, asserting that the event is a religious gathering organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) as part of its silver jubilee.
“This is not a political programme. Sabarimala is a unique shrine that symbolises religious harmony. Pilgrims, irrespective of caste or religion, first visit Vavar and then proceed to Sabarimala. Lakhs of devotees arrive from across the country every year, and states have shown interest in the event,” Vijayan said.
He added that the government’s role was limited to extending financial support since the TDB is a state-controlled body.
Vijayan also slammed Chandrasekhar, who had accused the government of using the event to woo Hindu voters ahead of the local body elections.
“The TDB has failed to provide facilities to pilgrims, and now they are organising a summit for political mileage. Neither Stalin nor Vijayan should attend the event,” the BJP state president said.
Vijayan, however, reiterated that the programme should not be disrupted.
“This is a religious initiative, not a political one. Nobody should try to threaten or pressurise in a way that affects the devotees,” he maintained.
With the scars of 2019 still raw in Kerala’s collective memory, the Global Ayyappa Sangamam arrives wrapped in layers of politics, faith, and suspicion.
The government frames it as a visionary step towards transforming Sabarimala into a world-class pilgrim hub, while critics see nothing more than a desperate political masquerade.
Whether it becomes a unifying spiritual conclave or another flashpoint in the state’s bruised political-religious fault lines remains to be seen — for now, the true objective of the Sangamam lies shrouded in clouds.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
