THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday cautioned Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin against misusing the faith of Ayyappa devotees, warning that the party will hit the streets if the two leaders attempt to politicise Sabarimala traditions.
Issuing the statement from the BJP state headquarters, Rajeev described the CPM-led Kerala government’s proposed ‘Ayyappa Sangam’ or global congregation of Ayyappa devotees as “a drama and election stunt.”
He demanded that both the CMs publicly apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala devotees, and insisted that the government also withdraw all cases filed against those who protested during the Sabarimala women-entry row.
“Hindus in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, along with BJP workers across the country, have made their stand clear,” he said, adding, “Over the years, Pinarayi Vijayan has jailed Ayyappa devotees, unleashed police violence and done everything possible to violate and insult Sabarimala rituals.”
Targeting the DMK leadership, Rajeev accused Stalin and son Udhayanidhi of consistently insulting Hindus, recalling the latter’s controversial remark likening Hinduism to a disease. “These actions are etched in the memory of devotees and will never be forgiven,” he said.
The former union minister warned that any attempt by Pinarayi or Stalin to “exploit” Sabarimala for political mileage would be met with fierce resistance. “If they think they can use Ayyappa devotees’ faith for their agenda, they should be prepared. Every BJP worker will take to the streets. The power of Hindu faith and the BJP should not be underestimated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, while responding to the controversy, said, “TDB (Travancore Devaswom Board) requests everyone’s cooperation for the global meet of Ayyappa devotees. The board will invite all, including union ministers, for the crucial meeting that will deliberate on Sabarimala’s development plans.”
Ayyappa devotees’ meet
The TDB is set to host a global congregation of nearly 3,000 Ayyappa devotees at the Pampa riverbank on September 20. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is among the invitees., The event will discuss future development plans for Sabarimala with the involvement of spiritual leaders, scholars, cultural representatives, administrators and devotees from around the world.