The political landscape in Kerala has been rocked by serious allegations from the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit, centering on the famed Sabarimala temple. The party has leveled accusations of sacrilege linked to a gold smuggling case and is now demanding a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Allegations of Theft and Sacrilege at the Holy Temple
Kerala BJP president K. Surendran spearheaded the allegations, claiming that gold offered by devotees to Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala was stolen and subsequently replaced with counterfeit metal. This shocking claim brings a new and deeply sensitive dimension to the already controversial gold smuggling case that emerged in 2020. The party asserts that this act constitutes a direct sacrilege, offending the religious sentiments of millions of Ayyappa devotees worldwide.
Surendran presented these allegations during a press conference held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. He stated that the party has gathered substantial information pointing to the theft of gold from offerings meant for the deity. The BJP leader emphasized that the involvement of the CBI is crucial as the case has inter-state and international linkages, suggesting it is beyond the purview of the state police alone.
The Link to the 2020 Gold Smuggling Case
The current allegations are intricately connected to the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case that came to light in July 2020. This case involved the attempted smuggling of over 30 kilograms of gold through diplomatic channels addressed to the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. The investigation, initially handled by the Customs Department and later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), had already ensnared several individuals, including former employees of the state IT department and individuals with alleged political connections.
The BJP's new charge suggests that the smuggled gold may have connections to the temple's assets. While the original case focused on smuggling, money laundering, and terror funding, the allegation of temple gold being stolen and swapped introduces a potent religious angle. Surendran accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, of attempting to shield the culprits and obstruct a fair probe.
Political Repercussions and Demand for Central Agency Probe
The demand for a CBI probe is set to intensify the political tug-of-war in the state. The BJP has positioned this as an issue of protecting Hindu religious institutions from corruption and malpractice. By framing it as 'sacrilege,' the party aims to galvanize public sentiment, particularly among the Hindu electorate, against the CPI(M)-led government.
The state government has consistently opposed CBI investigations in several sensitive cases, including the gold smuggling matter, citing a lack of faith in the agency and accusing it of being politically manipulated by the central government. The BJP's latest move is seen as an attempt to pressure the state administration and keep the issue in the national spotlight.
As of now, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which administers the Sabarimala temple, has not issued an official response to these specific allegations. The coming days are likely to see heightened political rhetoric, with the BJP planning protests and campaigns to push for the CBI investigation, while the state government is expected to dismiss the claims as politically motivated ahead of crucial electoral battles.
