'Sabarimala not place for election stunt'; Yogakshema Sabha criticises govt over Global Ayyappa Sangamam

PATHANAMTHITTA: The socio-cultural and welfare organisation Yogakshema Sabha slyly criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan government for going ahead with the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. Akkeraman Kalidasan Bhattathiripad, the Yogakshema Sabha president, requested the government not to create controversy in Sabarimala again. Bhattathiripad also expressed doubts on whether the Global Ayyappa Sangamam is an election stunt to boost the clout of the communist government ahead of the 2026 polls. Bhattathiripad also demanded that all things related to the temple and the event be made more transparent to avoid unnecessary doubts and rumours.

Meanwhile, the Nair Service Society (NSS) is fully supporting the Ayyappa Sangamam. NSS Vice President N Sangeeth Kumar expressed hope that the state government, which is organising the Ayyappa Sangamam, will be at the forefront in protecting the customs and beliefs.

At the same time, Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan suggested that the Ayyappa Sangamam should not be conducted like an expo run with commercial interests, and he even questioned the devious motive of the atheist Chief Minister-led communist government conducting such a religious event.

“The government is trying to make Sabarimala a tourist destination. The NSS should stand with devotees,” said Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Devaswom Board President P.S. Prashanth responded that the event should not be given a political colour. Prashanth said that the event is being conducted to put Sabarimala on the global stage and even promised not to hurt customs or tradition again.