BJP, Pandalam Palace, Sabarimala Organisations Condemn Sunny M Kapicadu Remarks on Ayyappa Celibacy
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| Sunny M Kapicadu |
Pathanamthitta: The BJP, Pandalam Palace and various Sabarimala organisations have strongly condemned activist Sunny M Kapicadu over his alleged remarks concerning Lord Ayyappa’s celibacy and Malikappurathamma, describing the comments as highly objectionable and hurtful to the religious sentiments of devotees. They have demanded appropriate legal action against him and urged the authorities to take the matter seriously.
BJP National Executive member Kummanam Rajasekharan on Thursday described the alleged remarks as “highly derogatory and provocative” and said they amounted to an insult to the religious beliefs of Kerala and crores of Ayyappa devotees.
Rajasekharan said everyone has the right to express an opinion, but freedom of expression does not permit insulting religious beliefs, deities or womanhood. He urged Chief Minister to examine the full video and its context and order legal action against Kapicadu.
He also called for an inquiry into whether the remarks were part of any organised attempt to create religious hatred or conflict. Referring to Kapicadu’s earlier positions on the Sabarimala issue, including during the 2018 women’s entry controversy, Rajasekharan said the latest remarks should not be viewed as an isolated incident.
He added that the BJP would pursue legal measures and file a police complaint seeking strong action.
“Expressing an opinion against a belief and insulting a belief are two different things,” Rajasekharan said, urging the government to ensure equal application of the law.
The Pandalam Palace also strongly condemned the alleged remarks. Palace president Pradeep Kumar Varma and secretary Suresh Varma described them as highly objectionable and insulting to the religious sentiments of devotees.
The palace Committee said remarks that allegedly disrespected Hindu beliefs, customs and traditions were unacceptable and could not be justified. It demanded that Kapicadu seek forgiveness from Lord Ayyappa and urged the Kerala government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to take strong legal action against him.
The Sabarimala Karma Samithi also condemned the alleged remarks against Lord Ayyappa and Malikappurathamma and demanded immediate intervention by the state government and the Devaswom Board. The organisation said freedom of expression carries responsibility and has limits, and criticism cannot be used as a pretext to insult a deity.
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Yuva Seva Samithi also strongly condemned the alleged remarks and demanded that the Travancore Devaswom Board take appropriate steps to protect the spiritual sanctity of Sabarimala.
Separately, Thiruvabharana Patha Samrakshana Samithi general secretary Prasad Kuzhikala submitted a complaint to the Pathanamthitta District Police Chief seeking an investigation into the alleged remarks.
In the complaint, Kuzhikala said that, if the remarks were indeed made, they amounted to an insult to religious faith and had seriously hurt the sentiments of devotees. He urged the police to trace the original source of the video or audio, examine its complete content and investigate the circumstances and intent behind the statement.
Kuzhikala said the complaint was not motivated by personal enmity but was intended to protect religious faith and maintain social harmony among Sabarimala pilgrims.
Kapicadu allegedly made the controversial remarks during an event held at Malayalam University in Tirur.
Who is this Sunny Kapi-kaadu? Can you share more details on him and the location?#Translation
— Suresh (@surnell) August 27, 2026
"Ayyappan is right there, right? Ayyappan, who is seen as a great supreme power, and next to him is Malikappurathamma, another major deity, sitting just slightly behind him.
If he… https://t.co/xOT6gan4KT pic.twitter.com/CoAdLXh29t