As opposition to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam fails to take a definitive shape, the State government is riding the momentum generated by the support from influential community organisations to ensure the event’s success.
While the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the government have received backing from the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharmaparipalana (SNDP) Yogam, the indecision of the Pandalam Palace on attendance at either of the summits organised by the TDB or the Sabarimala Karma Samithi has provided an additional boost for it.
The SNDP has openly backed the sangamam, while the NSS has confirmed that it will send a representative to the event.
TDB president P.S. Prasanth is scheduled to meet the NSS and the SNDP leadership directly at their headquarters and personally extend invitations to NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair and SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan.
Confirming the move, Mr. Prasanth said the TDB would be extending invitations to all prominent leaders across the spectrum.
“Like in the case of the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku season, the TDB is organising this event with the support of the government,” he told The Hindu, responding to criticism that the event was part of a plan by the Left Democratic Front government to connect with the Hindu community ahead of elections.
Addressing concerns over the proposal to offer privileges to donors contributing significantly towards Sabarimala’s development, Mr. Prasanth clarified that this system already exists at the hill shrine.
“But unlike other major temples across the country, there are no provisions for VVIP darshan or other special privileges. The only facility we offer is accommodation at Sabarimala for five days, a system that has long existed here,” he added.
The State government, on its part, is counting on the presence of these influential community organisations to prevent the United Democratic Front (UDF) from openly opposing the event. Speaking to the media in Kottayam on Thursday, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan highlighted the indecision within the Opposition UDF over publicly objecting to the summit.
“I think only one leader in the Opposition has objected to the summit. The Opposition has not opposed it collectively. There is no politics in it. It is only a gathering of Ayyappa devotees, organised as part of the TDB’s platinum jubilee,” he said.
The Minister added that he had no objection to the BJP and other organisations holding a parallel summit.
Meanwhile, Sangh Parivar organisations, led by the BJP, have begun preparations for a parallel event to be held at Pandalam on September 22. As part of these preparations, senior BJP leader and Sabarimala Karma Samithi head Kummanam Rajasekharan visited members of the Pandalam Palace to seek their blessings.
“When we asked about withdrawing cases, they said it was sub judice. When we asked about the Supreme Court affidavit, the answer was again sub judice,” Mr. Rajasekharan said.
The uncertainty over whether the Pandalam Palace will support the parallel event, however, has strengthened the TDB’s position. According to N. Shankar Varma, a representative of the palace, no decision has yet been made regarding attendance at either summit.
“The palace will stand with devotees. Our duty is to protect tradition. If these events support devotees, we will stand with them. Otherwise, we will abstain,” he said.
Published – September 04, 2025 07:06 pm IST
