Complaint Filed Against Shantananda Maharshi for Hate Remarks on Vavar at Sabarimala Protection Meet
Pathanamthitta: A fresh complaint has been lodged against Sriramadasa Mission chief Shantananda Maharshi for his controversial remarks against Vavar Swami during the Sabarimala Protection Meet held at Pandalam.
The complaint was filed with Pandalam Police by Pradeep Varma, a member of the Pandalam Palace family and CPI(M) area committee member. He alleged that Maharshi had misrepresented Vavar in his speech, portraying him in a derogatory manner.
According to the complaint, the Pandalam Ayyappa temple and palace traditions have always acknowledged the bond between Ayyappa and Vavar as part of the pilgrimage. The petitioner demanded legal action, stating that the remarks were aimed at disrupting Hindu–Muslim harmony in Pandalam.
Earlier, Congress spokesperson Anoop V.R. had also submitted a complaint, claiming that Maharshi’s comments wounded religious sentiments and created communal tension.
In his speech, Maharshi had said:
“Vavar was not connected to Sabarimala or Ayyappa in any way. He was a Muslim invader, a terrorist who came to defeat Ayyappa in battle. He is not worthy of worship.”
He further asserted that “the true tradition is about Vapuran, a spirit of Lord Shiva. Devotees should offer coconuts at Vapuran Swami’s temple in Erumeli before proceeding to Sabarimala.”
The Sabarimala Protection Meet was organized by Hindu outfits in Pandalam as a counter-event to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam jointly hosted by the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Kerala government at Pampa as part of the Board’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.