Kerala Govt Prepares for Global Ayyappa Sangam; Minister Says Activist Bindu Ammini Not Invited

The government has intensified preparations for the Global Ayyappa Sangam to be held in Kerala. Kerala Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan claims that female activist Bindu Ammini, who entered the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple in 2019, has not been invited to the Global Ayyappa Sangam. There is no need for her to participate in the program being organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).

On September 20, the Global Ayyappa Sangamam is being organized in Pampa in collaboration with the Kerala government to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). Regarding this, Minister Vasavan said that Ammini will not be allowed to participate in the Ayyappa Sangamam at any cost. Let us tell you that Ammini had reportedly sent a letter to the government expressing her desire to participate in the program.

Minister Vasavan said that Sangamam is for those genuine devotees of Lord Ayyappa who regularly visit Sabarimala and who visit the temple under the auspices of some organizations or while coming to the state in connection with various events. Representatives and devotees of such organizations have been invited to participate in this program. He said that Ammini does not fall in any such category. So there is no need to invite them, and there is no need for them to participate in it.

After the Supreme Court's order to allow women of all age groups to enter the temple, Ammini stepped into the temple for the first time. After this, she came into the news.

Reactions continued among various political parties and community organizations in the state on Sunday regarding the program. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal alleged that the Left government is trying to atone for its deeds by organizing Ayyappa Sangamam. He said that the devotees of Lord Ayyappa want the government to make effective arrangements to ensure smooth darshan at the hill temple.

At the same time, BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar urged the TDB to change its stand taken in the Supreme Court in support of the entry of women in Sabarimala before the organization of Ayyappa Sangamam. On the other hand, senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan alleged that the state government is trying to earn huge amounts of money by misusing the faith and belief of Ayyappa devotees. State president of Yoga Kshema Sabha, Akkeeraman Kalidasan Bhattathiripad, also expressed doubts over the event.