Sabarimala Gold Issue: Three UDF MLAs Suspended for Violating Assembly Rules

Thiruvananthapuram, October 2025: The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Wednesday after three United Democratic Front (UDF) MLAs were suspended for creating a ruckus over the . The incident has further intensified the ongoing political tussle between the UDF opposition and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.

Uproar in the Assembly Over Sabarimala Gold

The session turned chaotic when UDF legislators raised slogans and demanded an immediate discussion on alleged irregularities involving gold ornaments and assets of the Sabarimala temple. The opposition accused the ruling LDF government of failing to act on reports of mismanagement and possible misuse of temple wealth.

As the uproar escalated, Speaker A.N. Shamseer repeatedly urged the members to maintain order. However, the protests continued, forcing him to suspend three UDF MLAs for “gross violation of Assembly rules and conduct.”

The Suspended MLAs

The suspended lawmakers — Anwar Sadath, Shafi Parambil, and Roji M. John — were among those who led the protest on the Assembly floor. They accused the state government of shielding officials allegedly linked to the Sabarimala gold controversy.

According to reports, the MLAs entered the well of the House, shouted slogans, and displayed placards demanding a judicial probe into the alleged irregularities. Their suspension will remain effective for the rest of the current session.

UDF’s Allegations Against the LDF

The UDF claims that the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Sabarimala temple, has failed to provide transparent accounting of gold donations received from devotees. Opposition leaders allege that a portion of the temple’s donated gold was mishandled or unaccounted for, demanding a detailed audit.

“The Sabarimala temple is sacred to millions of devotees, and any irregularity in its wealth management is unacceptable,” said a UDF spokesperson.“The government must come clean instead of trying to suppress the truth through suspensions.”

LDF Government Defends Its Stand

Reacting to the controversy, Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan dismissed the allegations, stating that the audit process is transparent and follows strict guidelines. He accused the UDF of politicizing religious matters for media attention.

“The opposition is trying to create unnecessary tension around a sensitive issue. The Devaswom Board operates under full accountability, and no irregularities have been found,” he said.

The ruling front also argued that the opposition’s behavior in the House was “deliberately disruptive,” leaving the Speaker with no choice but to take disciplinary action.

What Is the Sabarimala Gold Issue?

The Sabarimala gold issue refers to allegations of irregularities in the management and accounting of gold offerings made by devotees at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, one of Kerala’s most revered pilgrimage centers.

Opposition parties claim that several kilograms of donated gold were either missing or not properly recorded. The state government, however, maintains that all gold donations are accounted for under the Travancore Devaswom Board’s official audit records.

Political Impact

The incident has once again highlighted the deep political divide in Kerala’s Assembly. With the 2026 state elections approaching, the UDF appears determined to use the Sabarimala issue to target the ruling LDF’s credibility on governance and religious administration.

Analysts believe that the controversy could become a major campaign topic, particularly among Kerala’s large base of Sabarimala devotees.

Conclusion

The suspension of three UDF MLAs over the Sabarimala gold issue has added yet another chapter to Kerala’s tense political climate. While the government insists that proper procedures are being followed, the opposition continues to push for transparency and accountability.