Prajna Pravah National Coordinator J Nandakumar criticised the Kerala Devaswom Board, saying that it was reducing hindu sacred rituals to a financial transaction. He stated that the Board was moving towards providing opportunities for individuals to sit with the Ayyappa murti in the shrine in exchange for money. He was addressing the Sabarimala Protection Sangam organised by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti in Pandalam in Pathanamthitta district, the birthplace of bhagwan Ayyappa.
J Nandakumar further pointed out that the present Kerala government had informed the court that any decisions concerning Sabarimala should be taken only after consulting the Waqf Board and Christian churches. He argued that such a position undermined Hindu traditions. According to him, the Global Ayyappa Sangam held by Devaswom Board at Pampa lacked seriousness, calling it a small gathering with no genuine devotion. He accused the organisers of misleading Hindus, suggesting that the event was designed to cheat the hindu community for a third consecutive time. Stressing unity, he remarked that if Hindus gathered under one flag, they would be capable of overcoming adversaries symbolised as Ravana or Duryodhana.
The ‘Sabarimala Protection Sangam ‘ in Pandalam was held just after ‘Global Ayyappa Sangam’ organised by the Kerala government under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, which saw limited participation and little influence, however, the Pandalam gathering resounded with fervent calls for refuge and devotion.
Blessed to have taken part in Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam today at Pandalam, organised by Sabarimala Karma Samithi, a divine call to uphold the sanctity of Lord Ayyappa, the eternal Naishtik Brahmachari.
The faith of millions cannot be sacrificed at the drama of political… pic.twitter.com/siLUnewBSW
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) September 22, 2025
Annamalai’s fierce attack on Pinarayi Vijayan and Stalin over Sabarimala and sanatana dharma
The conference also featured former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, who used the platform to launch a strong attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. At the inaugural ceremony, Annamalai was critical of the chief minister’s handling of the Sabarimala issue and the Communist-led government’s policies. He echoed the grievances of devotees regarding the cases filed against them during the women’s entry controversy of 2018–19.
Speakers at the event, along with Annamalai, raised concerns that devotees still faced legal restrictions, and many were unable to travel abroad for employment because of pending cases related to protests and the Nama Japa procession. Despite the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) taking public positions, the police had not withdrawn the cases. This, according to them, continued to create distress for many families.
Annamalai sharpened his attack by drawing on religious references. He stated that the Communist ministry in Kerala embodied the three qualities identified in the Bhagavad Gita as leading to downfall, lust, anger, and greed. He alleged that these were visible in the current government under Chief Minister Vijayan.
He also directed criticism at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, pointing out that Stalin was invited as the chief guest to the recently held Global Ayyappa Sangam organised by the Kerala government. According to Annamalai, this exposed the real motive of the event. He argued that inviting a leader who openly opposed Sanatana Dharma to an Ayyappa gathering was contradictory and deceptive.
Annamalai recalled that Stalin and his family had repeatedly voiced positions against Sanatana Dharma. He pointed to remarks made by Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi, comparing Sanatana Dharma to a mosquito spreading dengue fever and calling for its eradication. For Annamalai, this showed that the invitation to Stalin was not in line with the faith and tradition of Ayyappa devotees but was an electoral strategy aimed at gathering votes.
He remarked that the poor turnout at the Global Ayyappa Sangam reflected the people’s disillusionment. According to him, the event organisers struggled to fill chairs, and the lack of attendance was proof that devotees saw through the political motives behind it. He derided the attempt as an event devoid of spiritual purpose, organised only to manipulate public opinion ahead of elections.
Drawing parallels, Annamalai said that just as Stalin had overseen the organisation of a Global Muruga Sangam in Palani the previous year, the Global Ayyappa Sangam was a continuation of the same pattern. He alleged that the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu had consistently opposed Sanatana Dharma, and their involvement in religious conferences was insincere. In his words, such initiatives were like one thief learning from another.
Annamalai added that leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan and Stalin had no moral right to speak about gods or Hindu philosophy. He described it as ironic that members of parties with atheistic ideologies were reading from the Bhagavad Gita and attempting to instruct devotees. He argued that if Chief Minister Vijayan wished to quote scripture, he should start with verses that emphasised self-improvement, particularly those warning against lust, anger, and greed. Instead of lecturing devotees, he suggested, the chief minister should reflect on the moral standards of his own government.
Joined the Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam with Sri Annamalai Ji to protest the hypocrisy of the Kerala communist govt.
The same govt that tried to destroy Ayyappa traditions is now hosting a Global Ayyappa Conference – inviting MK Stalin as Chief Guest! This is nothing but the… pic.twitter.com/o9exox6EYy
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) September 22, 2025
Sri Lankan delegation extends support for Sabarimala and recognises pilgrimage as sacred
The presence of Ayyappa devotees from Sri Lanka, who attended the Sabarimala Protection Sangam as special invitees, drew particular attention. Among the prominent participants were former IT Minister Dr. Rishi Senthilraj, President of the Sri Lankan National Mahasabha Mahaguru Ravi Guruswamy, and Advisor to the Prime Minister Maheshwaran. They received the official invitation on the 13th of this month.
Although they had visited the Sabarimala temple on several occasions in the past, this was their first time taking part in an event dedicated to Ayyappa outside the temple premises. Members of the association noted that the invitation symbolised recognition from the people of Sri Lanka. They emphasised that gatherings of this kind could also include representatives from other countries, thereby reducing distances and fostering closer ties. They underlined that Ayyappa himself was the reason for initiating such a bond.
The Sri Lankan delegation expressed their readiness to help protect the Sabarimala temple and assured full support to Kerala in this regard. They described Kerala’s culture as a model for other nations. Dr. Senthilraj further highlighted that the Sri Lankan government has officially recognised the Sabarimala pilgrimage as a holy pilgrimage.
In contrast, he pointed out, the Kerala government has not made any such declaration. He added that an official announcement from the state would greatly benefit Ayyappa devotees. He also expressed the group’s interest in working towards strengthening cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for the development of both countries.
#WATCH | Pathanamthitta, Kerala: State BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar says, "…The Ayyappa devotees have today passed a resolution to protect Sabarimala. It is a gathering of devotees to protect Sabarimala and they passed a resolution, a copy of which was handed over to me, and… pic.twitter.com/9ZcT4Xxwlc
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2025
The conference at Pandalam brought together several hindu organisations who reiterated their opposition to the Kerala government’s handling of the Sabarimala temple issue. They accused the government of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain while simultaneously alienating Hindu devotees through legal cases and restrictions. The repeated references to past controversies, such as the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling on women’s entry and the protests that followed, highlighted the continuing resentment among sections of devotees.
The gathering also sought to project unity among Hindus across state borders. With leaders from both Kerala and Tamil Nadu present, the message of solidarity against perceived anti-Hindu policies was strongly articulated. Pandalam, as the symbolic birthplace of Bhagwan Ayyappa, was chosen as the site to reinforce the historical and cultural significance of the campaign.
