BJP Leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar Meets Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in Hospital, Raises Questions Over Arrest
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led government of orchestrating a “deliberate diversion” in the alleged gold theft at the Sabarimala Temple, following his visit to the shrine’s Tantri, Kandararu Rajeevaru, at a private hospital here.
Rajeevaru, who was released on bail last week after spending 41 days in jail in connection with the case, was admitted to hospital recently.
Chandrasekhar said he visited the Tantri out of duty after learning about his health condition.
“I am not justifying anything happening in Sabarimala, nor is it my role to comment on the investigation. But arresting a person like him based on a remand note that contained absolutely nothing against him is deeply troubling,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader told reporters.
Referring to the court’s observations while granting bail, Chandrasekhar claimed there was “not even an iota of evidence” against the Tantri.
The real question, he said, was why he had been arrested in the first place without any substantive material.
Chandrasekhar further alleged that the investigation team, acting under instructions from the Chief Minister in his capacity as Home Minister, attempted to divert attention from Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan and former Minister Kadakampally Surendran
He claimed scrutiny was intensifying against the ministers over alleged lapses that enabled broker and prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti to gain unrestricted access to the temple, allegedly leading to the theft of 4.5 kg of gold.
“Why has no case been registered against those constitutionally bound to protect Kerala’s temples? Why are they not in jail?” he asked, describing the Tantri’s arrest as a calculated attempt to shift focus.
He also criticised remarks made against the Tantri in the Assembly, stating that it was unfair to target a person who could not defend himself on the floor of the House.
Asserting that Kerala represents values, heritage and faith, Chandrasekhar said the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance would “stand up and protect devotees” against any attempt to intimidate or exploit their beliefs.
BJP lights Ayyappa Jyothi protest, targets Kerala govt over handling of Sabarimala case
The BJP state unit intensified its protest over the alleged Sabarimala gold heist by lighting Ayyappa Jyothi (lamps) near Cliff House, the official residence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Tuesday.
Inaugurating the protest, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the BJP would not allow the Chief Minister or the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to downplay the issue as merely a lapse by certain individuals.
Chandrasekhar alleged that both the CPM and the Indian National Congress were equally responsible for the alleged theft of temple gold over the years. He claimed the Congress failed to protest when the Special Investigation Team arrested Kandararu Rajeevaru, the Tantri of Sabarimala Temple, asserting that the arrest was intended to deflect pressure to act against former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran.
The BJP state chief said the Congress should stop attempting to gain political mileage from the gold heist, adding that the party would focus on exposing what he termed the Congress’s “double standards” on the Sabarimala issue over the next 30 days.
“Six months have passed since news of the gold heist surfaced, yet the SIT has not identified those responsible. The arrest of the Tantri was meant to divert public attention. What other reason could there be? The BJP will not allow the Chief Minister to mislead the public,” Chandrasekhar said.
He also demanded that the state government file a fresh affidavit before the **Supreme Court of India** upholding the traditions and customs of Sabarimala. He further urged the government to hand over the investigation to the **Central Bureau of Investigation** and withdraw cases registered against those who protested during the 2018 controversy over traditions at the hill shrine.
Former Union minister V. Muraleedharan alleged that while the SIT recorded statements from Congress MP Adoor Prakash and Surendran, it kept the Sabarimala Tantri in jail for 40 days.
He further claimed that the CPM state leadership had given a clean chit to Surendran while branding the Tantri a thief, alleging that Rajeevaru was targeted solely because he was a Hindu priest.