The Kerala High Court has admitted a PIL challenging the Travancore Devaswom Board’s plan to hold the Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pamba near Sabarimala. The court asked TDB to reveal full details of the event’s schedule and sponsorship sources.
Kochi: On Sep 3, the Kerala High Court has admitted a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Travancore Devaswom Board’s (TDB) plan to organise the “Global Ayyappa Sangamam” at Pamba near the Sabarimala temple.
The petition was filed by Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi, who appeared in person before the court. He argued that the event was not a religious programme but a political gathering being held in the name of Lord Ayyappa, and therefore it should not be permitted.
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In response to this, the Travancore Devaswom Board explained that the Global Ayyappa Sangamam is being organised to highlight Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage destination.
The Board further said that the event is aimed at spreading the universal spiritual message of “Thathwamasi,” which stands for harmony and unity among people. It also told the court that the programme is part of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the TDB.
A division bench of the High Court, consisting of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Syam Kumar V M, heard the matter.
The TDB submitted before the bench that the event would not use any public money or temple funds. Instead, it would be financed entirely through sponsorships.
The judges, however, pointed out that the details of such sponsorships need to be made fully transparent. They remarked,
“This issue is crucially important because ‘sponsorships,’ as the TDB now says, ought to be from verifiable and credible sources alone.”
The state government also took part in the proceedings. Its counsel said that the government’s role in the matter was only limited to managing the crowd, since a large number of devotees are expected to gather at the Pamba river, which is popularly known as the “Dakshina Ganga” among devotees.
The court further emphasised that the Travancore Devaswom Board must act strictly according to law and within the duties assigned to it under the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950. While dealing with the petitioner’s claim that the programme was political, the judges observed,
“Prima facie, at this stage, we cannot wholly understand what is meant by the word ‘political’ as ascribed by the petitioner; but we are certain that, when this Court exercises jurisdiction under the Act, the TDB must be ordered to ensure that all their actions fall within the strict ambit of the same and their obligations as statutorily prescribed. It is so directed. They must bear in mind that their duties and responsibilities are only to the religious institutions under the Act, bound fully by the trust, beliefs, and conscience of the multitude of devotees of the deity.”
The division bench finally directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to submit a complete report before the court.
This report must include the full schedule of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam as well as all details of its financing and sponsorship sources. The matter has now been posted for further hearing on September 9.
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