Former Sabarimala Tantri Rajeevaru Speaks Out on Gold Panel Controversy

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Pathanamthitta: Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru on Wednesday refuted the claims made by Murari Babu, the Devaswom Board official suspended in connection with the Sabarimala gold-plating controversy, that the Dwarapalaka idols at the Ayyappa temple were sent for gold plating with his approval.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Rajeevaru said he had never authorised anyone to take the sculptures to Chennai for such work. “When portions of the sculptures had faded, a written request was submitted for their restoration. My permission was granted solely for repair work to be carried out at Sabarimala itself. At no point did I approve their transportation to Chennai. The idols were taken for gold plating without my consent—both earlier and now,” he stated.

Emphasising that the idols were fully covered in gold, he added that all his communications clearly recorded this fact. “Whether in 2019 or now, I have never authorised taking these idols outside the temple for gold plating,” Mr. Rajeevaru asserted.