Kerala: Opposition MLAs protest outside assembly over Sabarimala gold theft case

The case concerns the alleged theft of gold from the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idol plates and the loss of gold from the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) doorframes.

The Opposition has been continuously protesting against the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF government over the gold theft case, amid allegations of CPI(M) leaders' involvement.

On Wednesday, Kerala Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan denied attacking the watch-and-ward staff during the uproar in the assembly.

Referring to the Chief Minister's remarks in the assembly, he called them completely false and misleading. He further affirmed that the opposition parties will continue their protest over the Sabarimala gold controversy throughout the ongoing state assembly session.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had lashed out at the Opposition for attempting to "deliberately attempting to create trouble" in the Legislative Assembly and urged the House to condemn the "antics."

"We are continuing our protest related to the Sabarimala gold smuggling issue. Yesterday in the House, the Chief Minister made a completely false and misleading statement. He claimed that we attacked the watch-and-ward staff with sticks; this is untrue, and he must withdraw it. He even said there was violence. Everyone knows who actually created that scene; those responsible are sitting right there. We did not engage in any such act. Holding banners in protest is not new in the Assembly. Even the Speaker himself said that there was no issue serious enough to require a meeting in his chamber," said VD Satheesan.

The Kerala Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes as UDF MLAs attempted to enter the Speaker's chamber as they raised slogans over the case of alleged theft of Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple gold. The opposition protested with placards and banners against the alleged interference by the Chief Minister's office in the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) probe into the Sabarimala gold cases.

Opposition leaders, including Congress MLA Anwar Sadat, attempted to enter the Speaker's chamber. Visuals from the Assembly showed House watch-and-ward personnel restraining opposition members. As the protest intensified, Speaker AN Shamseer rose from his seat and left. (ANI)