Centre’s Takeover of Sabarimala? On Suresh Gopi’s Remarks; Devaswom President Responds
Thiruvananthapuram: Devaswom Board President P. S. Prasanth has strongly criticized BJP leader and Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s recent statement that the Centre would take over Sabarimala, calling it “dangerous.”
Speaking to the media, Prasanth said, “I do not know if such a takeover is even possible. If it happens, who will take responsibility for the livelihood of the 13,000 families dependent on Sabarimala? Suresh Gopi himself should answer that.”
Clarifying on the recent events, he noted that what was organized was not a pilgrimage but a development meet, in which all necessary stakeholders, including those holding constitutional positions, were involved. He added that those who hold alternative meetings should exercise restraint in their language, instead of destroying the atmosphere of harmony.
Earlier, Suresh Gopi had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a concrete plan for Sabarimala. He had also linked the issue to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, citing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier statements after the success of “Operation Sindoor.”
According to Gopi, once the UCC is implemented, a centralised Devaswom system will follow, bringing all temples in the country under a uniform administrative framework. “That will mark the end of the existing Devaswoms. This is not just a promise, but a certainty. In its place, a national-level system like a Hindu Religious Consortium or Hindu Religious Administration will emerge, covering not just Sabarimala but many temples across India,” he asserted.
However, critics argue that Sabarimala is increasingly becoming a political battleground for parties, with religious faith and temple administration being used as tools for electoral advantage. They caution that turning a spiritual centre into a political stage risks deepening divisions and weakening the temple’s cultural and devotional significance