Hindu organisations oppose state govt move to host Global Ayyappa Sangamam

Kochi: Various Hindu organisations have come out against state govt's move to host the Global Ayyappa Sangamam. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sabarimala Karma Samithi (SKS) and Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV) stated that they would oppose it legally.Addressing the media in Kochi on Tuesday, they alleged that the gathering was not for Ayyappa devotees but mainly to bring atheists and women to Sabarimala. "A secular govt has no right to convene a gathering of devotees of any religion. Such attempts are unconstitutional," said VHP's Viji Thampi and SJR Kumar of SKS. They questioned how a non-believer like CM Pinarayi Vijayan or devaswom minister V N Vasavan could convene such a gathering unless they publicly declare themselves as Ayyappa devotees. They criticised the invitation of DMK leaders' M K Stalin and his son, who insulted temple beliefs and Hinduism, as chief guests for the gathering.The leaders said Sabarimala is the sacred abode of Swami Ayyappa and Pampa is a key pilgrimage centre. "It is not a platform for those who speak and act against Sabarimala and Sanatana Dharma. The actions of CM, who led the ritual violations during the 2018-19 Sabarimala protests by attempting to escort women into the temple with police protection, will not be forgotten by devotees. The Ayyappa Sangamam is a political strategy by CPM to win votes ahead of local and assembly elections," they said.Among those who were present at the news conference were Temple Protection Committee state vice-president M Mohanan and Ayyappa Seva Samajam state president P N Narayana Varma.