Their protest demanded the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan, whom they hold politically responsible for the alleged gold looting at Sabarimala.
Published Jan 22, 2026 | 11:25 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 22, 2026 | 11:25 AM
Kerala Legislative Assembly, Thiruvananthapuram. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: The Kerala Assembly was adjourned following noisy scenes triggered by the Opposition over the alleged Sabarimala gold looting case, turning the House into a theatre of slogans, placards and parody songs.
The Kerala Assembly was adjourned for the day on Thursday, 22 January, following noisy scenes triggered by the Opposition over the alleged Sabarimala gold looting case, turning the House into a theatre of slogans, placards and parody songs.
The Opposition MLAs stormed the well of the House, raising placards and shouting slogans, even breaking into a parody song beginning with “Pottiyye Ketiyye”, escalating tensions during proceedings.
Their protest demanded the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan, whom they hold politically responsible for the alleged gold looting at Sabarimala.
Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan said the agitation was aimed not just at accountability but also at what he alleged was undue pressure exerted by the Chief Minister’s Office on the Special Investigation Team probing the case.
“We will stand firm until the minister resigns and the SIT is allowed to function independently,” Satheesan asserted.
As Opposition members continued to block the Speaker’s view by holding up placards, Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh mounted a sharp counterattack.
Accusing the Opposition of avoiding parliamentary procedures, he said they were shying away from moving an adjournment motion on the issue.
“The Opposition has every right to bring an adjournment motion. It is rare in legislative history for an Opposition to abandon such a right. They are afraid of discussion because every discussion ends with them walking out of the House,” Rajesh said, adding sarcastically that the Opposition was only “showing its mettle” through disruption.
Despite repeated appeals from the Chair, the protests showed no sign of subsiding, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the Assembly for the day.
With the House adjourned, the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address has been deferred and will now continue on January 27.
The Sabarimala gold looting controversy is now firmly set to dominate the remaining days of the session, with the standoff between the government and the Opposition showing little indication of easing.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
