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Kerala BJP Meets President Murmu Amid Sabarimala Gold Theft Scandal

A BJP delegation from Kerala met with President Droupadi Murmu to discuss public concerns about the Sabarimala gold theft incident. The meeting comes as the Special Investigation Team has arrested the prime accused in the case. Meanwhile, the temple has appointed new priests through a traditional draw of lots ceremony. The gold theft involved stolen plating from the sanctum's wooden panels and door guardian sculptures.

Key Points: BJP Delegation Meets President Murmu on Sabarimala Gold Theft

  • BJP delegation led by Rajeev Chandrasekhar meets President Murmu at Raj Bhavan
  • SIT arrests prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti in gold theft case
  • Gold plating stolen from sanctum panels and Dwarapalaka sculptures at Sabarimala
  • New Melsanthi Prasad E.D. appointed through traditional draw of lots ceremony
2 min read

Kerala BJP delegation meets President Droupadi Murmu, apprises Sabarimala gold 'theft' incident

Kerala BJP leaders apprise President Droupadi Murmu of Sabarimala gold theft concerns as SIT arrests prime accused and temple appoints new priests.

"The delegation apprised the President of public concerns regarding issues, including the Sabarimala gold theft incident - BJP Release"

Thiruvananthapuram, October 21

A BJP delegation led by the party's Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar met President Droupadi Murmu at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday and apprised the President of public concerns regarding issues, including the Sabarimala gold theft incident, said a release issued by the party.

Along with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former Governor and BJP National Executive Committee member Kummanam Rajasekharan, former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, former State President K. Surendran, State General Secretary Adv. S. Suresh, and former DGP and BJP State Vice President R. Sreelekha were part of the delegation.

The delegation also presented a replica of the Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple to the President.

Earlier, on October 17, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala High Court arrested Unnikrishnan Potti, the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

Unnikrishnan Potti's arrest pertains to the theft of gold plating from the sanctum's wooden panels and the Dwarapalaka (door guardian) sculptures at Sabarimala temple.

Potti has been remanded to police custody until October 30

Earlier, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, P.S. Prasanth, suspended Assistant Engineer K Sunil Kumar for his alleged involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Kumar has been named as an accused in the case.

Prasanth stated that retired officers involved in the gold-plating controversy will receive a show-cause notice, with a 10-day time frame to respond.

Meanwhile, Prasad E.D. has been selected as the new Melsanthi (chief priest) of the Sabarimala Temple, while Manu Namboothiri M.G has been chosen as the Melsanthi of Malikappuram Temple, according to the Travancore Devaswom Board release.

As per the release statement, the selection took place through a traditional draw of lots (narukkueduppu) conducted after the Usha Pooja at the Sannidhanam on the first day of the Malayalam month Thulam.

The newly appointed Sabarimala Melsanthi, Prasad E.D, hails from Vasupuram, Mattathurkun, Chalakudy in Thrissur district. The newly appointed Malikappuram Melsanthi, Manu Namboothiri M.G., is a native of Ayiratheng, Kottikkada, Mayyanad in Kollam district.

The draw of lots was conducted under the supervision of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President Adv. P.S. Prasanth, Sabarimala Special Commissioner R. Jayakrishnan, High Court Observer T.R. Ramachandran Nair, and Devaswom Commissioner B. Sunilkumar.

In the ceremonial draw, Kashyap Varma, a young boy, drew the lot for the Sabarimala Melsanthi, while Maithili R. Varma, a young girl, drew the lot for the Malikappuram Melsanthi.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Why is BJP making this political? The SIT is already investigating and arrests have been made. This seems more like political posturing than genuine concern for the temple.
A
Anjali F
Good to see the traditional selection process for Melsanthi is still followed. The draw of lots by children maintains the sanctity of the process. Hope the new priests bring positive energy to the temple 🕉️
M
Michael C
As someone who visited Sabarimala last year, this news is disturbing. Temple security needs complete overhaul. The fact that gold plating was stolen shows serious lapses in protection of sacred spaces.
S
Suresh O
The involvement of temple officials is most concerning. When people entrusted with protecting the temple become part of the problem, where do devotees go? TDB needs complete transparency in all appointments and audits.
N
Neha E
At least the system is working - arrests made, suspensions given, and new priests appointed through proper procedure. Hope this brings back the spiritual atmosphere that Sabarimala deserves ✨

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