UDF Awaits Government Response to Decide on Global Ayyappa Sangamam Participation

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 3 (PTI) The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will determine its participation in the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Sabarimala only after the Left government addresses several pivotal inquiries, including its involvement in the "violation of centuries-old tradition" seven years ago. This statement was made by V D Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, on Wednesday.

The Global Ayyappa Sangamam, a significant event organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board to mark its 75th anniversary, in collaboration with the Kerala government, is scheduled for September 20 at Pampa.

V D Satheesan, during a press conference held to outline decisions from an online meeting of UDF leaders on Tuesday evening, clarified, "We are not boycotting the event," but accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government of stirring "unrest in Sabarimala by endorsing actions that disrupted longstanding customs at the ancient temple." He also alleged, "It was the LDF government that amended the affidavit submitted by the UDF government in the Supreme Court, influencing it to back violations of tradition," referring to the eminent court's 2018 verdict allowing women in the menstruating age group to enter the hill shrine.

Further, he raised questions over the delay in withdrawing cases against devotees who protested the Left government’s decision that allowed "breaches of tradition at the temple". Satheesan also mentioned the pending annual financial obligation that the temple is entitled to under a covenant, which has not been met for the last three years.

"We expect the government to answer these queries first. Only after that will the UDF decide on our participation," he asserted.

The Congress leader criticized the government's stance as "deceitful". When questioned if the UDF was boycotting the event entirely, Satheesan responded, "Is this a political convention to declare that? Let the government first answer our questions."

In 2018, the Supreme Court struck down the ban preventing women of menstruating age from entering the Sabarimala temple, calling the restriction "unconstitutional". The decision sparked considerable protests and is presently under review by a larger judicial bench.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the CPI(M) and the LDF government faced severe criticism from numerous Ayyappa devotees, the Congress-led alliance, and the Sangh Parivar for aiding the entry of two women of menstruating age into the sacred Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.