Congress accuses Kerala’s LDF govt of ‘aiding’ Sabarimala gold theft

Accusing the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of “hurting the sentiments of lakhs of Ayyappa devotees by aiding the theft of gold” from Sabarimala, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP, has said the Congress party would not step back from its ongoing protests “until the real culprits are caught.”

He was speaking after inaugurating a march to the Secretariat organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Wednesday (November 12, 2025) demanding the resignation of Dewaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and the arrest of all those involved in the gold theft.

“What we are witnessing are the aftereffects of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M] politicising the running of the Dewaswom Boards. The responsibility of the administration and upkeep of temples should be with the believers. Currently, a process of filling temple committees with CPI(M) appointees is ongoing. The political appointees are not concerned about protecting faith, as their eyes are on the wealth,” alleged Mr. Venugopal.

He said the “misappropriation” of gold-plated copper casings covering the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple’s stone carvings and sculptures would not have come to light if not for the intervention of the Kerala High Court.

Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) commissioner N. Vasu, who was on Tuesday arrested by the special investigation team (SIT) appointed by the High Court, “could not have done anything without the knowledge of the CPI(M),” he said.

Slams BJP’s ‘silence’

Mr. Venugopal also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership of being mostly silent on the issue. “Other than organising token protests, the BJP has not been raising the issue. For them, religion is a means to create strife and gain votes,” he said.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph, who presided over the protest meet, said the Congress’ sustained protests had forced the government to arrest “at least a few of those” who are involved in the gold theft.

Deepa Dasmunshi, AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala, said that only through a High Court-monitored CBI probe could “the real culprits be nailed.”

Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala said the appointment of K. Jayakumar as the TDB president was “a face-saving measure” on the part of the government.