Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday, 27 June wrote to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, urging him to recommend a CBI investigation into the alleged disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala hill shrine and to unconditionally withdraw all criminal cases filed against Ayyappa devotees during the Sabarimala agitation. The letter marks a sharp escalation in the BJP's sustained campaign to keep the Sabarimala issue at the centre of Kerala's political discourse.

Key Demands Raised

Chandrasekhar pressed the state government on two specific fronts. First, he called on the Kerala government to recommend a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into all allegations surrounding the missing gold, asserting that only an independent federal inquiry could ensure transparency and accountability in the protection of temple assets. Second, he demanded the unconditional withdrawal of all criminal cases registered against devotees who took part in protests to defend Sabarimala's traditional customs.

In his letter, Chandrasekhar said the issues were 'of immense significance to millions of Ayyappa devotees in Kerala and across the world' and called for 'immediate government intervention to restore the confidence of the faithful.'

Background: A Controversy Years in the Making

The Sabarimala dispute dates to 2018, when the Supreme Court permitted women of menstruating age to enter the shrine, triggering widespread protests across Kerala and drawing national attention. Hundreds of cases were registered against protesters during that period. The controversy was reignited in 2025, when reports surfaced alleging the loss of gold from the temple — claims that have not been independently verified — further deepening concerns among devotees about the management and security of the shrine's assets.

Chandrasekhar noted that the BJP had consistently raised these issues even during the tenure of the previous government, and expressed hope that the new administration under Chief Minister Satheesan would act with greater urgency and fairness.

Warning of Statewide Agitation

The BJP leader made clear that the letter was not merely a courtesy. Chandrasekhar warned that if the government failed to provide a satisfactory response to the two demands, the party would be 'compelled to launch a statewide peaceful mass agitation to protect the rights and beliefs of Ayyappa devotees.' He expressed confidence that the Chief Minister would intervene to ensure justice and preserve both social harmony and public order.

Political Context

This comes amid the BJP's renewed effort to consolidate the Hindu voter base in Kerala ahead of future electoral contests, with the Sabarimala issue serving as a potent rallying point. The party has long argued that the state government — led by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in its previous term and now by the Indian National Congress (Congress)-led United Democratic Front (UDF) — has been indifferent to the religious sentiments of the devotee community. Critics, however, argue that the BJP is seeking to leverage faith for political mobilisation rather than pursuing genuine accountability. The government is yet to formally respond to Chandrasekhar's letter, and all eyes are now on whether Chief Minister Satheesan will order any inquiry or grant relief to those facing criminal charges.