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Global Ayyappa Sangamam: The controversy around the upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam snowballed as the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that the religious event is going to be held, like an expo, by the state government with commercial interests to make money out of the faith and belief of Lord Ayyappa devotees.

The Global Ayyappa Sangamam is being organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), as part of its 75th anniversary, in association with the Kerala government, at Pampa in Pathanamthitta district on September 20.

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Ahead of the religiously very significant event saw a war of words between the BJP and CPI(M), with leaders of both parties accusing each other of “playing politics” on the mega event.

Global Ayyappa Sangamam Being Held With Commercial Interests: BJP

Former Mizoram Governor and the BJP leader, Kummanam Rajasekharan, on Saturday claimed that the Global Ayyappa Sangamam was being held, like an expo, by the state government with commercial interests. Rajasekharan, also a former BJP state president, further claimed that the manner in which the event was being held and the issuance of 'privilege cards', based on lakhs of rupees donated by the participants, indicates that Sabarimala was being turned into a "tourism and commercial hub".

He alleged that the state government was trying to make a huge amount of money by monetising the belief and faith of the Ayyappa devotees.

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The BJP leader further alleged that by issuing the privilege cards, priority in darshan and rituals would be given to those who donate lakhs and crores and the common devotees would come only after that.

Nair Service Society Backs The Government

Rajasekharan urges Nair Service Society (NSS) to respect the sentiment of Ayyappa devotees. Recently, NSS vice president M Sangeeth Kumar backed the government decision and reposing "complete trust" in the Left administration in connection with the event.

"I can only ask them (NSS) to respect the feelings of Ayyappa devotees. They should also consider the fact that those who protested against the entry of women into Sabarimala are still facing criminal cases which have disrupted their lives and livelihoods. In such a situation, they (NSS) need to decide what stand to take regarding the event. I can only request them to be a part of the opposition by devotees to the event," the BJP leader said at a press conference.

However, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that "threats" by the BJP will not prevent the Global Ayyappa Sangamam from taking place as planned.
(With PTI inputs)