Kerala Assembly Erupts in Chaos Over Sabarimala Temple Gold Plating Scandal: SIT Probe Ordered

Thiruvananthapuram:

Sabarimala temple has emerged as the focal point of Kerala's political tensions, with controversy over gold-plating of the shrine's sanctum sanctorum intensifying as elections approach.

The Assembly witnessed significant disruption on Monday when Opposition members created such a commotion that Speaker AN Shamseer was forced to cancel Question Hour and temporarily adjourn proceedings.

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan initiated the confrontation during Question Hour, calling for the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan and Travancore Devaswom Board President PS Prasanth regarding alleged missing gold sheets.

When the Speaker attempted to proceed with scheduled business, Opposition representatives launched a dramatic protest, entering the well of the House.

Protestors brandished placards with messages such as "Ayyappan's gold stolen, temple devoured by looters" and surrounded the Speaker's podium, effectively blocking his view and heightening tensions. The situation escalated as ministers and ruling party members rose in counter-protest.

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Opposition creates uproar in the Assembly; members storm into the well of the House with banners, protesting over the Sabarimala gold plating controversy.(Source: Sabha TV) pic.twitter.com/ubSjIkhBwR

Finance Minister KN Balagopal condemned the Opposition's behavior, describing the disruption of Question Hour as "unprecedented and improper."

Speaker Shamseer warned that obstructing House proceedings represented "disrespect towards the people" and directed legislators to lower their banners. Despite these admonitions, protests continued unabated.

As the situation deteriorated, the Speaker cancelled Question Hour and temporarily adjourned the House.

This incident follows earlier tensions over the same issue. The previous week, the Opposition had attempted to introduce an adjournment motion regarding the controversy, which the Speaker rejected citing the matter's ongoing status before the Kerala High Court.

Monday's confrontation indicates the Opposition's intention to escalate its campaign focused on the Sabarimala gold-plating issue.

COURT ORDERS PROBE

The Kerala High Court on Monday mandated the formation of a Special Investigation Team to examine allegations of gold loss from the gold-plated Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala.

This SIT will consist of senior officers who will report directly to the court.

Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar ordered the SIT's creation following the Travancore Devaswom Board Vigilance team's submission of an interim report on its preliminary investigation.

Previously, the court had instructed the TDB Vigilance team to investigate weight discrepancies in the Dwarapalakas after they were sent to a Chennai firm for electroplating—a project sponsored by businessman Unnikrishnan Poty in 2019.