Is Kerala BJP Protesting Against 'Gold Theft' at Sabarimala Temple?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BJP protests against Kerala government
- Allegations of gold theft at Sabarimala temple
- Calls for a CBI inquiry
- Accusations of corruption within the Devaswom Board
- Protests scheduled for October 7
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 4 (IANS) The BJP has declared its intent to stage protests against the Kerala government on Saturday, calling for an investigation by central authorities into the controversy surrounding the gold plating of the Sabarimala temple, labeling it as “gold theft”.
The Congress-led UDF has already requested a CBI inquiry into this emerging scandal that has shaken the revered Sabarimala temple.
Veteran BJP figure P.K. Krishnadas announced that the party plans to march to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence on October 7 as part of their demonstration.
“If the government is innocent, it should promptly initiate a CBI investigation into this issue. If not, the BJP will seek legal action,” he asserted.
Krishnadas claimed that the allegations regarding the gold plating of the Sabarimala temple structures reveal significant corruption within the government.
“Alarming revelations are surfacing. What occurred at Sabarimala was not just a simple irregularity, but outright gold theft. Behind the alleged sponsorships, immense sums were misappropriated,” he stated.
The BJP leader accused both the Devaswom Board and the state government of being involved in this embezzlement.
“It was not merely third parties; the Devaswom Board and those in power facilitated this plunder, and they benefitted from it as well,” he charged.
Krishnadas called for the resignation of the Devaswom Minister and the disbandment of the Travancore Devaswom Board, alleging that they are protecting the wrongdoers.
He insisted that an independent agency, detached from the state government, should oversee the investigation.
He also claimed that a significant theft took place involving the removal of critical documents and valuables from Sannidhanam.
“The government and the Devaswom Board must clarify the fate of the 30 kilograms of gold donated by former UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya,” he urged.
Krishnadas further questioned why discrepancies noticed in 2019 regarding the weight of the Dwarapalaka (door guardian) panels have remained uninvestigated.
“This is no coincidence - it’s a deliberate cover-up,” he concluded.