PANDALAM: NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair came forward responding to the controversy in the gold-plated issue in Sabarimala. ‘The criminals should be found and strict punishment should be awarded. The stolen gold should be recovered. Strong action has been taken by the court and the government,’ said Nair.

SNDP yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan had also responded on the issue. He requested the government to end political appointments in devaswom boards, bring professionalism to temple administration, and appoint IAS officers to ensure transparency. Unnikrishnan Potty alone cannot commit the fraud. There are secret groups behind it. The board should not become a place for politicians. A share of Devaswom Boards income should be given to the boards with low income.

Meantime, former devaswom board president N Vasu has responded to the gold plating controversy. N Vasu confirmed that Unnikrishnan Potty had sent an email to the devaswom president. Vasu said that he had received an email suggesting that the remaining gold from the plating could be used for the marriage of a poor girl and forwarding the mail to the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner was a natural step. He said that it was not his responsibility to explain hold the gold in Sabarimala turned to copper and that he was not involved in the irregularities.