Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP in Kerala initiated a campaign on Monday to gather one crore signatures from Ayyappa devotees, calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get involved in the Sabarimala gold loss controversy. This effort commenced on the first day of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, which also marks the beginning of the annual pilgrimage season at Sabarimala. During the campaign’s launch in front of the Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple, BJP state general secretary S Suresh stated that the signatures would be presented to Prime Minister Modi.
He appealed to Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to participate in the campaign, emphasizing the importance of unity to “protect Sabarimala.” Suresh remarked, “What transpired in Sabarimala was not merely the theft of gold. The BJP will persist in its efforts until all wrongdoers are held accountable.” He criticized the ongoing LDF and UDF administrations in Kerala for allegedly trying to “destroy Sabarimala” and claimed that the ruling governments were executing “secret plans” through intermediaries to weaken the shrine. He asserted that these actions needed to be highlighted at the national level, and the signature campaign was a part of that strategy, noting that devotees had started to support the initiative even prior to its official commencement.
Signature collection events took place in various regions of the state on Monday, according to party officials.
