Kerala High Court Questions Global Ayyappa Sangamam Event Amid Controversy
In Kochi, the Kerala High Court took up a heated petition on Wednesday challenging the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam. The petitioner claims the event, set for September 20, is run by people who don’t believe in Lord Ayyappa and have even pushed to wipe out Sanatana Dharma. This has sparked big questions about the Sabarimala temple’s role and how the money is being handled.
The Kerala government plans to host this Global Ayyappa Sangamam to bring Ayyappa devotees together and spotlight Sabarimala’s deep spiritual and cultural roots. But the petitioner isn’t buying it. He argues that organizing such a program near religious spots breaks laws banning non-religious events close to places of worship.
Adding fuel to the fire, the petitioner says all funds raised for the event—including sponsorships—actually belong to the deity. He insists they can’t be used for anything else. Pointing to past court decisions, he notes that the event falls under the Travancore Devaswom Board, so the money must stick to temple activities only. He even accuses organizers of misusing Lord Ayyappa’s name for their own gain.
The guest list raises more eyebrows. The petitioner highlights that invitees are mostly political leaders, not the real devotees who follow strict penance and rituals for Ayyappa. "True Ayyappa bhakts are the ones who trek to Sabarimala with devotion—none of them got an invite. So, how is this really an Ayyappa Sangamam?" he questioned in court.
During the hearing, the judges pressed the government to clarify its involvement in the Sabarimala event. The state fired back, saying the Global Ayyappa Sangamam doesn’t violate the Constitution or Article 14, which ensures equality. But the court wasn’t convinced yet, especially on funding. It pointed out the lack of details on how they’re raising money for the program.
The government assured the bench that neither it nor the Travancore Devaswom Board will spend a single rupee. All costs for the Ayyappa Sangamam will come from sponsorships alone. The court has now asked for more specifics and plans to dig deeper into the matter.
Meanwhile, politics is heating up around Sabarimala. The opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) slams the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government for using the temple’s name for political gains. On the other hand, the ruling CPI-M defends the event strongly, calling it a way to unite believers and fight communal forces in Kerala. As the debate rages, devotees and the public watch closely for the next update on this Sabarimala controversy.
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