What Did Actor Jayaram Say About the Sabarimala Gold Plating Controversy?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jayaram's involvement is primarily based on faith.
- The Sabarimala gold-plating controversy continues to evolve.
- Political parties are demanding investigations into the matter.
- Public trust in temple management is at risk.
- Transparency is essential for accountability in such cases.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 3 (NationPress) The Sabarimala gold-plating controversy has taken an intriguing new turn with the involvement of popular Malayalam actor Jayaram, who has been linked to a ritual conducted by Unnikrishnan Potti, a prominent benefactor of the temple's restoration efforts. Recent footage from 2019 has gone viral, showcasing a puja associated with this initiative.
Jayaram clarified, “The ceremony was not at my residence. It took place in Chennai. I attended solely because Unnikrishnan Potti invited me. Although I know him, we don't communicate regularly, but we do discuss matters related to the Sabarimala temple.”
He also mentioned that he had invited veteran artist Veeramani to the ceremony, emphasizing that his attendance was rooted in faith rather than any active participation.
“I felt it was a blessing to be involved in this occasion. I had no knowledge of any fundraising activities associated with it, nor did I observe anything of that nature,” he added.
The event, touted as connected to the sacred 'Sreekovil door' of Sabarimala, attracted several high-profile figures, further escalating the controversy upon the resurfacing of the clips.
“I will certainly share what I know if summoned to testify,” Jayaram stated.
Meanwhile, Potti has been called in by the Vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), the authority managing the affairs of the renowned Sabarimala temple. Potti, currently in the state capital, is expected to appear before the TDB-Vigilance on Saturday.
In the meantime, the Congress-led UDF has launched a strong campaign, demanding a CBI investigation into the ongoing controversy.
On Friday, the BJP also responded, with veteran leader and former Minister of State, V. Muraleedharan, accusing the Left government of exploiting Sabarimala for financial gain, as evidenced by the handling of the gold plating works.
“We seek to understand who authorized the delegation of temple responsibilities to this individual. The Pinarayi Vijayan government must provide transparency on this matter,” Muraleedharan asserted.