Sabarimala gold plating row sparks uproar in Kerala Assembly, Congress walks out
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly witnessed uproar on Friday after the Congress-led UDF’s attempt to raise the Sabarimala gold plating controversy through an adjournment motion was disallowed by Speaker A.N. Shamseer, prompting the Opposition to stage a walkout.
The controversy stems from reports that nearly four kilograms of gold plating on the sanctum sanctorum’s idol are missing after being removed without proper authorization. Citing the “anguish of devotees,” the Opposition demanded an urgent discussion.
Rejecting the motion, the Speaker said the matter could not be taken up in the House as it was already before the Kerala High Court. On Wednesday, the court had expressed concern over discrepancies in the weight of the gold plates used in the sanctum (Sannidhanam) and ordered a detailed probe, describing it as a “strange and worrying” issue. The plates reportedly weighed 42 kg when taken in 2019 for plating work, but showed a shortage of four kg when returned.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan argued that similar motions had been allowed earlier despite pending court proceedings and accused the government of “hiding behind procedure to avoid accountability.”
Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh countered, accusing the Opposition of attempting to provoke unrest among Ayyappa devotees. “This is nothing but frustration. They are deliberately dragging in a matter under court consideration to create a commotion,” he said.
Congress veteran Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had moved the notice that was turned down, leading to the walkout.
Later, Minister P. Rajeeve mocked the Opposition’s protest, pointing out that the High Court is set to take up the case again on September 30. “Had the Opposition forced a debate today, they would have walked out looking even more ridiculous than in the past three days,” he remarked.
The missing gold has already caused unease among devotees and intensified political sparring outside the Assembly, with the government facing pressure to reassure the public about the safeguarding of temple assets.