Kerala Poll: Sabarimala Row, Tharoor’s Stand and Gold Theft Stir
Photo credit Twitter Shashi Tharoor
Faith vs rights debate returns as Shashi Tharoor backs tradition; Sabarimala gold theft probe adds fresh political flashpoint
By NIRENDRA DEV
New Delhi, March 26, 2026 — With Assembly elections approaching, Kerala’s political landscape is once again being shaped by the volatile mix of faith, gender rights and controversy surrounding the Sabarimala Temple. The decades-old debate over women’s entry has resurfaced alongside a high-profile gold theft case, sharpening political positions across parties. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has reignited the conversation by arguing that matters of faith cannot always be judged through the lens of rationality alone.
In a recent column, Tharoor said the Sabarimala tradition—restricting entry of women of a certain age group—was rooted in the “naishtika brahmachari” nature of Lord Ayyappa and not misogyny. “These are questions of faith, not rationality… to ignore this is to ignore the very essence of the faith,” he wrote. His nuanced position is being seen as a shift from rigid liberal frameworks, even as it draws political reactions. The 2018 Supreme Court of India verdict allowing entry of women had triggered massive protests, with the Bharatiya Janata Party backing agitations on the ground.
The ruling Left government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has now recalibrated its stance, signalling support for preserving long-standing customs—an apparent shift that the Congress calls “electoral opportunism.” Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan accused the government of aligning with sentiments it had earlier opposed. Meanwhile, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar framed the issue as one of “faith and sacrilege,” insisting it should not be reduced to electoral arithmetic.
Adding another layer to the political churn is the Sabarimala gold theft case, which has triggered competing demands for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The state government has defended the ongoing SIT investigation, even as the Enforcement Directorate intensifies its probe. Key accused Unnikrishnan Potti was recently granted statutory bail after over 90 days in custody, with allegations involving misappropriation of temple gold from idols and structures within the shrine.
Tharoor, reflecting the broader dilemma, noted that the controversy forces a balance between “constitutional morality and the sanctity of religious tradition.” He argued that while courts play a role in social reform, legal reasoning must recognise the limits of intervening in deeply held beliefs. As Kerala heads toward elections, Sabarimala once again stands at the crossroads of politics, faith and law—ensuring the issue remains far from settled.
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