It is absurd to question the right of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to hold the proposed Global Ayyappa Sangamam (GAS), if it is genuinely intended—as claimed—to be a conference of Ayyappa devotees for planning infrastructure development at Sabarimala. Who else but successive governments, through the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) they appoint, have always borne responsibility for both the shrine’s development and the administration of thousands of temples in Kerala?

To argue that a Communist-led government, elected for a second time in a row, has no right to hold such a meeting because it has atheists in it is equally undemocratic. No Communist-led government in Kerala has ever shirked its administrative and financial responsibility for running the state's over 1000 temples. Last Sabarimala festival, which attracted over 50 lakh pilgrims, including 10 lakhs who came through spot booking and a record revenue of Rs 440 crore, was noted for its exceptionally smooth conduct with no significant complaints. The TDBs constituted by them, like those by any other government, have always included declared believers. True, some appointees have on occasion been accused of graft or incompetence. But were those nominated by “god-fearing” non-Communist governments any better?

It is also well known—acknowledged even by the Communists—that much of their rank and file are practising believers. The late E.K. Nayanar’s wry remark still rings true: if the CPI(M) installed a donation box en route to Sabarimala, it would fill faster than the temple’s own hundi.

Equally misplaced was the Kerala High Court’s recent “shock” at the TDB seeking sponsorship for GAS expenses, though the judges’ insistence on transparency of its conduct deserved appreciation. Surely, the honourable judges cannot be unaware that the sanctum sanctorum’s golden roof at Sabarimala was funded by none other than the liquor baron Vijay Mallya in 1998, who is now charged with massive financial crimes, or that Guruvayur’s facilities were lavishly built by Mukesh Ambani, who has now pledged ₹56 crore for a hospital........

© Mathrubhumi English