Sponsorship only after examining background, Devaswom board president clarifies new policy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Travancore Devaswom Board President P S Prashanth said that from now on, sponsorship will be given only after examining the background of sponsors in Sabarimala. He said that he fully welcomes the investigation announced by the court and wants everything to be investigated, including his tenure. He said this while responding to a private channel.

‘This is an experience; a lesson should be learned from this. From now on, the Devaswom Board has decided to investigate the background of sponsors by including vigilance. The probe will be conducted by a special investigation team. Things will become clear in the investigation,’ said Prashanth. He also clarified that the board’s stand is that those who committed the crime, no matter how top he is, should be punished.

Meantime, former devaswom board president A Padmakumar came forward and clarified that the gold in Sabarimala cannot be stolen and that an investigation be conducted. He said that if 1.5 kilograms of gold has decreased to nine sovereigns, the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner should be held accountable and that there are still many problems to be solved in Sabarimala. Padmakumar also expressed doubts on the workers entrusted by Vijay Mallya. He was responding to the media on the gold plating controversy.