Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the spiritual significance of the Sabarimala shrine, describing it as a rare symbol of inclusiveness that transcends caste, creed and religion.
Inaugurating the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pampa, Vijayan said the conclave would provide direct insights into the needs of devotees while criticizing those who “manipulate religion for vested interests.”
Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, the Chief Minister said those opposing the Ayyappa Sangamam were “not real devotees.” “It is not difficult to realise real devotees. Bhagavad Gita tells about qualities of real devotees in eight verses from 13 to 20 in its 12th chapter. This event is a gathering of people with those qualities. Those who tried to sabotage this event, even by going up to the Supreme Court have a vested agenda,” said CM Vijayan.
Vijayan stressed that the Sabarimala shrine stands beyond divisions, representing secular spiritual values open to all. “The temple sings Harivarasanam, composed by atheist Devarajan Master and rendered by Yesudas, who was born a Christian. Pilgrims pass through Vavar’s mosque, and many make offerings at Arthunkal church before trekking uphill. Where else in the world do we find such a confluence?” he asked.
The Chief Minister also announced projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore for the development of Sabarimala to make pilgrimage to the Lord Ayyappa shrine safe and convenient for the devotees. A total of Rs 1,033.62 crore will be spent across different phases on the development of Sannidhanam, Pamba, and the trek route to the hill shrine, all of which are expected to be completed by 2039.
Though many state governments were invited to the conclave, only two ministers from Tamil Nadu, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments minister P K Sekarbabu and IT minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan turned up at the conclave . Messages of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin were read out at the event. Representatives from the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalanayogam and Nair Service Society took part in the event.
However, with the event snowballing into a political controversy, most state governments declined the invite.
Meanwhile,Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan lashed out at the Chief Minister, calling him a “fake devotee” and accusing him of hypocrisy. “This devotion, which never suited him, is merely a ploy with an eye on the upcoming elections. He is hiding the atrocities carried out at Sabarimala with the help of the police, violating traditions during his tenure,” Satheesan alleged.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the global Ayyappa Sangamam organized by the LDF government was a failure. Only party members were present to listen to the Chief Minister’s speech. He said that a large number of chairs at the venue remained empty as devotees ignored the LDF government’s invitation to attend the conclave.