Is Congress Escalating Protests Over Sabarimala Gold Theft?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Congress plans a significant protest march on November 12.
- Kerala High Court's observation amplifies the scandal's seriousness.
- Calls for resignations of officials held accountable.
- Political tensions rising ahead of local elections.
- Investigation reveals potential political interference.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 7 (NationPress) The Congress has announced plans to escalate its protests regarding the Sabarimala gold theft case, with a significant 'secretariat march' scheduled for November 12, as stated by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph.
Joseph described the recent remarks from the Kerala High Court concerning the case as 'shocking', highlighting the extent of the scandal.
“The court characterized it as an international loot,” he noted, emphasizing the deep political connections tied to the gold theft.
He called for the immediate resignation of the Devaswom Minister and officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), holding them accountable for their shortcomings.
“The involvement of political figures is clear. Simply interrogating N. Vasu (the accused) will not uncover the truth; the investigation must target those in higher positions,” he asserted.
The Congress leadership has accused the state government of attempting to diminish the issue and protect individuals in power.
The upcoming 'secretariat march' is anticipated to be a significant phase in their protest, with participation from senior leaders, MLAs, and party workers statewide.
The Sabarimala gold theft case has sparked political turmoil following a report from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and subsequent court comments that revealed irregularities in the gold plating of the temple's sanctum doors.
The Congress-led Opposition has accused the ruling administration of shielding the culprits, demanding an unbiased investigation under judicial oversight.
As the Congress prepares for its next wave of protests, the controversy surrounding the Sabarimala gold theft continues to escalate, intensifying political tensions ahead of local body elections.
On Friday, the Ranni Magistrate Court placed the fourth accused, K.S. Byju, who was arrested Thursday night, into police custody for 14 days.
The court also transferred Murari Babu, a TDB official in judicial custody, to police for further questioning.
Additionally, Sudheesh Kumar, a retired TDB employee also held in judicial custody, has been handed over to police as part of the ongoing investigation.
The primary suspect, Unnikrishnan Potti, remains in judicial custody.
In related news, M.V. Govindan, the CPI-M state secretary, announced plans to appoint a new TDB team as the current board's term concludes next week.
“The government will officially announce this,” said Govindan.
The announcement will follow the return of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan from a Middle East tour.