Kerala High Court Allows Vijayan Government’s Global Ayyappa Sangamam Amid Allegations Of Politicising Religion

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (11 September) cleared the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s plan to hold the Global Ayyappa Sangamam on 20 September, dismissing petitions that sought to block the event, reported The Indian Express.

However, the court imposed conditions to safeguard the sanctity of Sabarimala, the ecology of the Pampa River, and the rights of pilgrims.

A division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar ruled, “We find no reason to interdict the conduct of the sangamam.”

The judges added, “These directions are issued to guarantee that the event is undertaken in a manner that preserves the sanctity of Sabarimala, protects the environment, ensures financial transparency, and secures the rights, safety, and spiritual experience of ordinary pilgrims as paramount.”

The bench directed that dignitaries’ participation must not disrupt pilgrims’ facilities or spiritual experience. It ordered the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the shrine, to keep transparent accounts of expenses and sponsor contributions, subject to audit.

A copy of the accounts must be submitted to the court. It also ruled that all participants must be treated only as devotees of Lord Ayyappa, without special benefits or priority for temple visits or related activities.

Petitioners had argued that the summit served political interests and that the TDB should not be drawn into such motives. In response, the Board said the conclave aimed to bring together religious scholars and devotees worldwide and project Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage hub.

The event marks 75 years of the TDB. While the Congress, BJP, and Sangh Parivar outfits accused the CPI(M) government of political motives, Hindu organisations NSS and SNDP Yogam backed the meet.

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