Oppn causes uproar in Kerala assembly over Sabarimala gold plating issue for the second straight day

T'puram: For the second straight day, opposition caused an uproar in the assembly over the alleged missing of a portion of gold used to cover the exterior of the sanctum sanctorum and the dwarapalakas (guardian deity) at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple.

The question hour session, which began at 9am, was halted after 21 minutes due to the commotion. Subsequently, the remaining part of the session was cancelled and the speaker adjourned the House after rushing through the proceedings.

As soon as speaker A N Shamseer entered the House, opposition leader V D Satheesan raised the issue and claimed that the high court found that the gold-plated sculptures at Sabarimala were sold. He demanded the resignation of the devaswom minister and the dismissal of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

However, law minister P Rajeeve responded by saying that the opposition leader's stance does not even acknowledge the high court. The govt and the devaswom minister have offered their support for any kind of investigation. Rajeeve said that the opposition's refusal to accept the high court's special investigation is a ploy for narrow political gains.

Parliamentary affairs minister M B Rajesh further commented that the opposition has long lost faith in the judiciary. He mentioned that the opposition has been facing continuous setbacks and that the Supreme Court has also advised them against political games. The opposition fears the courts, the assembly and the people, he said.

Although the speaker tried to continue with the question hour, the opposition rushed to the speaker's chamber and raised banners, obstructing his view, and shouted slogans. Despite the commotion, ministers O R Kelu and V Abdurahiman continued their replies for the question hour session.

Meanwhile, the speaker, upset by the obstruction, criticised the opposition. He said that the govt was willing to discuss the issue and that protesting without even giving notice was inappropriate. The speaker questioned what more could be done beyond the high court appointing an SIT.

As the uproar continued, the speaker cancelled the question hour session and temporarily adjourned the House. It was convened again but the situation remained unchanged. The speaker remarked that protests and slogans were part of democracy, but decorum must be maintained.

Satheesan said later that the high court criticised that ‘sponsor' Unnikrishnan Potti, along with TDB, deceived not only the sacred Sabarimala temple but also millions of devotees. It was revealed that a different sculpture made of copper was brought to Chennai and when it was reinstalled, the devaswom board pretended not to notice the weight difference.

The original gold-plated sculpture was sold. The devaswom board was aware of this theft but covered it up because if a case was filed, not only Potti but also influential figures from the devaswom and the govt would be implicated. Despite knowing this, they concealed it, said Satheesan.