'Only lower-level staff are being named accused to protect those at the top'; BJP to hold round-the-clock protest and Secretariat siege against govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP will stage a round-the-clock protest and Secretariat siege tomorrow and the day after, in response to the gold loot at Sabarimala. The protest aims to hold the government accountable for the incident. The protest will be held on October 24 and 25, and BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar will inaugurate it. The Secretariat siege will begin on the evening of the 24th and conclude on the evening of the 25th. Senior state leaders will take part in the protest demanding strong action in the gold loot case.

“No one will be allowed to escape by placing the blame solely on lower-level staff in order to prevent the investigation from reaching those at the top. The court has already pointed out the involvement of both the former and current Devaswom Board presidents. So, the government’s attempt to protect them is unacceptable. Reports also indicate that large-scale thefts have taken place not only at Sabarimala but in several temples managed by Devaswom Boards across Kerala,” said BJP state general secretary Adv. S. Suresh.

The BJP is raising several demands, including the resignation of the Devaswom Minister involved in the gold theft, the dissolution of the Devaswom Board, an investigation by central agencies into the board’s financial dealings over the past 30 years, and an immediate CAG audit of all Devaswom Boards in the state, he said. Around 25,000 party workers from various districts are expected to take part in the protest.