By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition boycotted the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Friday (September 19, 2025) after Speaker A.N. Shamseer denied an adjournment debate on the “mystifying” reduction in weight of the copper-gold leaf covering of two idols in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

Mr. Shamseer refused even to entertain the Rule 50 notice filed by senior Congress legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan seeking the leave of the House to debate the discrepancy, given the widespread “consternation” of devotees over the “loss” of temple treasure.

Mr. Shamseer noted that the matter was still sub judice.

The Kerala High Court has ordered the Chief Vigilance and Security Officer of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to investigate the discrepancy in the weight of the gold plating, estimated at 4 kg, after the temple authorities dispatched it to Chennai for repairs in 2019. It has set September 30 as the deadline for submitting the inquiry report.

Mr. Shamseer said the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business precludes the Assembly from considering issues within the judiciary’s purview.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs M. B. Rajesh accused the Opposition of spreading inflammatory canards to tarnish the TDB-sponsored Global Ayyappa Sanghamam at Pampa on Saturday (September 20, 2025).

He said the UDF has no powder in its keg to assail the government. Its adjournment notices in the Assembly had turned damp squibs. The UDF has become the ideological echo chamber of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has called for a boycott of the Sanghamam, he said.

Law Minister P. Rajeeve said the RSS lacked representation in the House. “However, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan effectively filled the void”, he said.

Mr. Satheesan accused the government of trying to obfuscate the “loss” of gold contributed by devotees under the LDF government’s watch in 2019.

He said the High Court had expressed shock at the “suspicious” discrepancy in weight after TDB sent the gold plating to Chennai for repairs. “The government is on the defensive. It has to answer for the loss of treasure to Ayyappa devotees”, he said.

The Opposition Bench walked out of the House in protest and later staged a protest in front of the Assembly gates.