PM Modi on Sabarimala temple gold loss row: ‘Culprits will be punished’
Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that those responsible for the alleged loss of gold linked to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple would be sent to jail if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in Kerala. He called it his personal guarantee to devotees.
Addressing a large public meeting as part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s campaign, Modi accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of betraying the trust of devotees and failing to safeguard the sanctity of the historic shrine.
He said the issue went beyond administration and struck at matters of faith, assuring that a BJP government would enforce strict accountability.
"The entire country, all of us, have unwavering faith in Lord Ayyappa. However, the LDF government has left no stone unturned in damaging the traditions of the Sabarimala Temple. Now, reports of gold theft are emerging from here. Reports of gold being stolen from the temple, from right next to the Lord. I want to make one thing clear: the moment a BJP government is formed here, a thorough investigation into these allegations will take place, and the culprits will have their place in jail," said Modi
The case is currently being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police under the close monitoring of the High Court.