Chaos erupted in the Kerala Assembly on Thursday as the Sabarimala gold-plating issue resumed centre stage, with the Congress-led Opposition challenging the proceedings on claims that there were irregularities in the gold-plating of the idols of the Lord Ayyappa shrine. The scandal revolves around the allegations that the recently gold-plated coverings on the idols were on the lighter side when compared to earlier, a case that was brought into the limelight by the proceedings of the Kerala High Court, since the recent transfer of gold-plating was allegedly done without the knowledge of the court.
The commotion caused Speaker A.N. Shamseer to temporarily suspend the business of the House; thereafter, UDF boycotted the business. The situation worsened as the Opposition MLAs had some clashes with the watch-and-ward staff of the Assembly, which led to the hospitalisation of the chief marshal.
In reaction to the event, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan has defended the injured marshal, saying he was being unfairly framed and pointing out to historical conflicts of fraudulent injury certificates. Satheesan also charged the Speaker with bias, saying, “You are okay with whatever the ministers say, but you keep interrupting me when I am speaking.” The Opposition wanted to act against those in charge due to the so-called sale of the original idols at a large amount and demanded the resignation of the Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, and that the Travancore Devaswom Board be dissolved.
In the demonstration, the members of UDF lifted a banner that read gold turned into copper near the Speaker’s podium, and shouted anti-ruling front slogans. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, M.B. Rajesh, criticised the activities of the Opposition, claiming that Satheesan was a promoter of violence. Rajesh put across the accusations that implicated Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as not being well-founded, indicating that Vijayan had not mentioned anyone when he previously made the statements.
It was on Monday that the Assembly was disrupted when the Opposition pressurised the ministers to resign, and went on Wednesday with boycotts and scuffles.
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