The Bharatiya Janata Party has initiated a massive public movement in Kerala, launching a signature campaign that aims to gather one crore signatures seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direct intervention in the ongoing Sabarimala gold controversy.
Campaign Launch Coincides with Pilgrimage Season
The signature drive was strategically launched on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, which marks the traditional beginning of the annual pilgrimage season at the famous Sabarimala temple. This timing ensures maximum visibility and participation from devotees visiting the hill shrine.
The initiative represents a significant political move by the BJP to capitalize on the growing public concern surrounding the management and alleged financial irregularities involving temple assets, particularly the substantial gold reserves and offerings made by millions of devotees.
Massive Public Outreach Effort
With a target of collecting one crore signatures, the campaign represents one of the largest public outreach efforts in recent Kerala political history. Party workers and volunteers have been mobilized across the state to gather support from citizens concerned about the proper management of Sabarimala's resources.
The campaign organizers emphasize that the collected signatures will be formally presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his direct involvement in resolving what they describe as "administrative irregularities" and ensuring transparent management of the temple's valuable assets.
Political Implications in Kerala
This signature campaign comes at a crucial time in Kerala's political landscape, where the BJP has been attempting to strengthen its presence. The Sabarimala issue has been a sensitive topic in the state, and the party appears to be positioning itself as the protector of Hindu religious institutions.
The gold row at Sabarimala has been a contentious issue for several months, with various stakeholders expressing concerns about the management and security of the temple's substantial gold reserves and other valuable offerings made by devotees throughout the year.
As the pilgrimage season gains momentum, the signature campaign is expected to attract significant attention from the millions of devotees visiting the temple, potentially amplifying the BJP's message and increasing pressure on both state and central governments to address the concerns raised by the party and temple devotees.
