The ongoing Sabarimala gold scam, which has sent shockwaves through Kerala’s political and religious spheres, inevitably recalls a controversial remark by legendary CPI(M) leader and three-time former Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar.
During his tenure, several temple robberies occurred in the state, prompting Hindu leaders to seek better police protection. Nayanar’s reported response, “Your Gods and Goddesses are incapable of saving themselves from the robbers and dacoits. Then how are they going to save you?”, was widely seen as dismissive, even provocative, and it sparked significant public outrage.
Fast forward to 2025, and Kerala witnesses a scandal of arguably greater magnitude at Sabarimala, one of the most revered temples in the country. Under the CPI(M)-led Pinarayi Vijayan government, the news surfaced of gold plates missing and allegedly been misappropriated, leading to arrest and widespread political furor. The very incident resurrects Nayanar’s words, this time not as a philosophical quip, but as a stark warning about institutional lapses and governance failures.
The question that resonates today is chillingly similar, if the custodians of trust — the state and temple authorities — cannot safeguard offerings, what hope is there for the devotees’ faith in the system?
The scandal underscores a broader issue, accountability cannot be left to divine protection or pious rhetoric.
While Nayanar’s statement may have reflected ideological audacity or cynicism, the Sabarimala case demonstrates that political indifference or administrative negligence has tangible consequences. It is not merely a betrayal of devotees’ faith but a failure of the mechanisms entrusted with their protection.
As the arrest unfolds and investigations continue, Kerala’s citizens are forced to confront uncomfortable truths.
Reverence for religious institutions cannot absolve elected governments of their duty to uphold law, order, and transparency. The lessons of Nayanar’s era, once abstract and contentious, now acquire urgent immediacy as divine devotion cannot replace human responsibility, and political leadership must answer for lapses, lest faith itself be commodified or compromised.
The Sabarimala gold scam is thus a cautionary tale, a reminder that reverence without accountability is a recipe for both spiritual and civic erosion.
Also Read: Temple ‘Sponsor’ Arrested in Sabarimala Gold Scam
