6 months ago
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Accusing the Left Democratic Front (LDF) authorities of “hurting the sentiments of lakhs of Ayyappa devotees by aiding the theft of gold” from Sabarimala, All India Congress Committee (AICC) wide caput K.C. Venugopal, MP, has said the Congress enactment would not measurement backmost from its ongoing protests “until the existent culprits are caught.”
He was speaking aft inaugurating a march to the Secretariat organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) connected Wednesday (November 12, 2025) demanding the resignation of Dewaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and the apprehension of each those progressive successful the golden theft.
“What we are witnessing are the aftereffects of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M] politicising the moving of the Dewaswom Boards. The work of the medication and upkeep of temples should beryllium with the believers. Currently, a process of filling temple committees with CPI(M) appointees is ongoing. The governmental appointees are not acrophobic astir protecting faith, arsenic their eyes are connected the wealth,” alleged Mr. Venugopal.
He said the “misappropriation” of gold-plated copper casings covering the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple’s chromatic carvings and sculptures would not person travel to airy if not for the involution of the Kerala High Court.
Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) commissioner N. Vasu, who was connected Tuesday arrested by the peculiar probe squad (SIT) appointed by the High Court, “could not person done thing without the cognition of the CPI(M),” helium said.
Slams BJP’s ‘silence’
Mr. Venugopal besides accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) enactment of being mostly soundless connected the issue. “Other than organising token protests, the BJP has not been raising the issue. For them, religion is simply a means to make strife and summation votes,” helium said.
KPCC president Sunny Joseph, who presided implicit the protestation meet, said the Congress’ sustained protests had forced the authorities to apprehension “at slightest a fewer of those” who are progressive successful the golden theft.
Deepa Dasmunshi, AICC wide caput in-charge of Kerala, said that lone done a High Court-monitored CBI probe could “the existent culprits beryllium nailed.”
Congress Working Committee subordinate Ramesh Chennithala said the assignment of K. Jayakumar arsenic the TDB president was “a face-saving measure” connected the portion of the government.
