By Lakshmi Jyothish
The BJP has criticised the decision made by the Kerala government and the Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) to host an international conference for global Sabarimala devotees, arguing that this action violates the constitutional principles of a secular government by organising a religious gathering at a Hindu temple. The BJP has also accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) of using the conference as a politically motivated move to gain an advantage ahead of the upcoming elections in Kerala.
The conference, which marks the 75th anniversary of the TDB, aims to promote the Sangamam, focused on sharing the message of “Tatvamas” meaning “That you are,” one with the world and to position Sabarimala as a sacred, traditional, and sustainable pilgrimage site on a global scale. This initiative has drawn criticism from the Sangh Parivar and the BJP, raising concerns about secularism and questioning whether it is appropriate for an elected government to host a religious event at a Hindu temple.
Kummanam Rajashekharan, a member of the BJP national executive committee, claimed that the conference was a way for the government to undermine the ancient traditions and customs of Sabarimala.
The BJP also accused the LDF of having no moral authority to organize such an event, citing their past persecution of Ayyappa devotees in 2019 for upholding their faith. The BJP alleged that the LDF had failed to honor its promise to drop charges against Hindu women who peacefully gathered to pray against the government’s decision to allow women of childbearing age to enter Sabarimala. The BJP leader also questioned whether the state government intended to organize similar international gatherings for followers of other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, on the same scale as the Sabarimala event.
There are also reports suggesting that the government planned the Sabarimala event in advance of the local body elections later this year and the state Assembly polls next year.
According to these reports, the initiative is intended to counter the BJP and Sangh Parivar’s propaganda, which portrays the Left government and communist parties as being “anti-Hindu.”