BJP Steps Up Pressure on Kerala Government Over Alleged Sabarimala Gold Scam

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2026 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday intensified its attack on the Kerala government over the alleged Sabarimala gold scam, demanding accountability and transparency in the handling of the case. Leading the charge, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should “apologise before Lord Ayyappa” for what he described as the government’s mishandling of a sensitive matter linked to one of the most revered temples in the country.

Chandrasekhar was addressing party workers during the BJP’s “Ayyappa Jyothi” protest held outside Cliff House, the official residence of the Chief Minister. As part of the protest, BJP leaders and supporters lit lamps and raised slogans, accusing the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of shielding the real culprits in the alleged gold theft while harassing devotees and temple authorities. The demonstration marked a symbolic expression of dissent, blending religious sentiment with political protest.

The BJP leader alleged that the arrest of the Sabarimala Tantri was politically motivated and carried out without substantive evidence. He claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) acted in haste, ignoring key facts and judicial observations, and instead targeted religious functionaries to divert attention from deeper questions surrounding the alleged gold scam. According to Chandrasekhar, the court had clearly noted the absence of evidence against the Tantri, making the arrest unjustified and deeply hurtful to the sentiments of devotees.

Accusing the government of attempting to shield senior figures, Chandrasekhar said the investigation appeared designed to protect the Devaswom Minister and others in power from scrutiny. He alleged that the probe had become politically compromised, with intermediaries allegedly acting on behalf of both the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress, further eroding public trust in the process.

As part of its agitation, the BJP placed three key demands before the state government. These include a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged Sabarimala gold scam, the withdrawal of the affidavit filed by the Kerala government in the Supreme Court, and the scrapping of what the party described as “false and fabricated cases” registered against devotees and temple-linked individuals.

Meanwhile, the matter has also drawn the attention of the judiciary. In a related development, the Supreme Court of India sought clarification on whether any gold was still remaining in the temple premises. The apex court raised this question while considering the bail plea of one of the accused, Pankaj Bhandari, and posted the matter for further hearing on March 9.

So far, 13 people have been arrested in connection with the case. Of these, six have secured bail, while the remaining accused have also approached the court seeking relief. The ongoing legal proceedings, coupled with sharp political exchanges, have ensured that the issue remains in the public spotlight.

With Sabarimala once again emerging as a flashpoint, the BJP’s protest signals an escalation of its campaign against the Left government in Kerala. By placing the temple controversy at the centre of the political narrative, the party appears determined to mobilise public opinion, particularly among devotees, as the debate over faith, governance, and accountability continues to intensify across the state.