Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrashekhar on Wednesday, 24th December, said that the loot in Sabarimala was not limited to 4.5 kg of gold, it was much more. In a post on X, he alleged that 4 Panchaloha idols were taken out of Sabarimala and sold to international criminal networks.
He said that he was deeply disturbed by the latest developments in the Sabarimala gold controversy, calling them far more serious than what had come to light earlier. Writing on X, Chandrashekhar said, “As an Ayyappa bhakt, the pain and hurt I felt earlier has now deepened even further,”.
As an Ayyappa bhakt, the pain and hurt I felt earlier has now deepened even further
What is coming out now is far more disturbing than what we first knew.
The looting of Sabarimala was not limited to 4.5 kg of gold. Investigations now show that under the LDF-appointed… pic.twitter.com/UL2wcn1N5e— Rajeev Chandrasekhar
(@RajeevRC_X) December 24, 2025
He said the issue was not limited to the loss of 4.5 kg of gold, as previously known. According to Chandrashekhar, investigations have shown that during the period of the LDF-appointed Devaswom Board, four Panchaloha idols were taken out of Sabarimala and sold to international criminal networks. He also said that some parts of the sacred Pathinettam Padi, which were replaced during the UDF government in 2015, were tampered with and taken away.
Chandrashekhar said the matter points to political involvement and cannot be brushed aside by arresting a few individuals. He said that taking action only against people like Unnikrishnan Potty or Vasu was not enough, as the issue reflected a larger political conspiracy. According to him, the problem began during the Congress-led UDF rule and continued under the CPM-led LDF government.
He described the developments as not just theft, but a serious insult to Swami Ayyappa and a betrayal of millions of devotees across the world. Stressing the need for a deeper probe, Chandrashekhar said that a Special Investigation Team would not be able to bring out the full truth and demanded that the case be handed over to the CBI.
He also criticised the state government, saying Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier tried to play down the matter by calling it a slip-up. Chandrashekhar said justice must be ensured for Ayyappa devotees and that the issue cannot be covered up.
The controversy has already triggered political reactions in Kerala. Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Communist Party of India CPI(M) would not protect anyone found guilty and that action would be taken against whoever is responsible as the investigation moves forward.
The Sabarimala gold controversy relates to irregularities in the gold plating work at the temple. The issue dates back to a 1998 donation by industrialist Vijay Mallya, who donated 30.3 kilograms of gold and around 1,900 kilograms of copper for gold cladding of the sanctum sanctorum and wooden carvings at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
Earlier, after the arrest of CPM district committee member A. Padmakumar in the case, CPM Pathanamthitta District Secretary Raju Abraham said that the district unit was waiting for directions from the CPM State Committee on how to proceed.
He said the matter was not discussed in the last committee meeting and that any disciplinary action would be decided only after the final investigation report is submitted.
CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan also said that once a decision is taken by the party leadership, the Pathanamthitta district committee will carry out strict disciplinary action. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said it would not be appropriate for him to comment in detail on the issue, noting that the investigation is being carried out under the direct supervision of the High Court.