Did Hindu values lead to Gabbard’s resignation?
When I heard the name “Tulsi Gabbard” years ago I assumed that she was an Indian American, married to a Mr. Gabbard because Tulsi is a sacred plant to the Hindus.
BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday said that the participation of DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam (Global Ayyappa Summit), being organized by the Pinarayi Vijayan government, is tantamount to insulting Hindus.
Speaking to mediapersons in Thrissur, Chandrasekhar said the Global Ayyappa Summit, being conducted under the leadership of the Pinarayi Vijayan government, which he accused of attempting to undermine Ayyappa devotees and the beliefs of Sabarimala—was nothing but a farce.
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“The CPI(M) and the Pinarayi Vijayan government are organizing the Ayyappa Sangamam with Stalin as the chief guest. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Comrade Stalin, along with his son and political successor Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been openly insulting Hindus and Sanatana Dharma for years to please their vote bank. Now, such people are organizing a gathering of Ayyappa devotees with assembly elections around the corner,” Chandrasekhar said.
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Calling the move ironic, the BJP Kerala chief said it was “laughable” that CPI(M) and DMK, both constituents of the INDIA alliance, were organizing an event connected to Sabarimala.
Scoffing at the initiative, Chandrasekhar compared it to “Hitler standing up for the Jews, Rahul Gandhi telling the truth, Osama bin Laden becoming an apostle of peace, Hamas and Jamaat-e-Islami respecting non-believers, and the Congress abandoning corruption.”
He further alleged: “The Global Ayyappa Summit is a cruel joke. Pinarayi Vijayan’s government has insulted Sabarimala rituals and devotees for years and imprisoned many. People have not forgotten what the Left government did in Sabarimala.”
The CPI(M)-led LDF government, in collaboration with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), is organizing the International Ayyappa Sangamam—a global congregation of Ayyappa devotees—on September 20, 2025, at Pampa, the base of the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. The event, part of TDB’s platinum jubilee celebrations, aims to showcase Sabarimala’s cultural heritage to the world by bringing together spiritual leaders, scholars, devotees, and cultural representatives from various countries.
The state had earlier witnessed violent protests after the LDF government implemented the 2018 Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at the shrine.
Chandrasekhar also demanded the resignation of Congress MLA Rahul Mangkootathil, who is facing allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women.
“Such issues are in the DNA of the Congress. The people of Palakkad deserve an MLA who is not a predator. If Rahul Mangkootathil does not resign, the BJP will do what it has to do,” he warned.
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