Chennai CM Unable to Attend Ayyappa Summit Amid Controversy

Chennai, Aug 26 (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has communicated to his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, that he will be unable to attend the Global Ayyappa Summit in Pamba on September 20 due to pre-existing commitments. In a letter, Stalin mentioned deputizing two ministers, P K Sekar Babu and Palanivel Thiagarajan, to represent him. The summit is part of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Amid controversy sparked by the invitation, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar objected to the potential involvement of both Chief Ministers, demanding an apology from them to the Hindu community and threatening street protests if they attended. He accused the Pinarayi government of undermining Hindu beliefs, referencing past actions against Ayyappa devotees. Kerala Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan had previously extended an invitation to Chief Minister Stalin as part of the celebratory event planned by the Travancore Devaswom Board along the sacred Pamba river.

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