The "Global Ayyappa Sangamam," an event planned in Kerala for September 2025, has become embroiled in controversy, sparking heated debates and strong opposition from various political and religious organizations. The event, organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in association with the Kerala government, aims to unite Ayyappa devotees from around the world and promote Sabarimala as a global spiritual center. However, critics view it as a politically motivated move by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, particularly the CPI(M), to regain lost Hindu voters and capitalize on religious sentiments ahead of upcoming local and assembly elections.
Several Hindu organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Sabarimala Karma Samithi (SKS), and Hindu Aikya Vedi (HAV), have voiced their opposition to the Sangamam, threatening legal action. They argue that a secular government has no right to convene a gathering of devotees from any religion, deeming such attempts unconstitutional. These groups allege that the event is not genuinely for Ayyappa devotees but is a veiled attempt to bring atheists and women to Sabarimala, referencing the 2018-19 Sabarimala protests.
A major point of contention revolves around the invitation extended to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and later his ministers, to be chief guests at the event. The BJP and Sangh Parivar organizations have strongly condemned this invitation, citing Stalin and his DMK party's history of alleged anti-Hindu rhetoric. They argue that inviting individuals who have purportedly insulted temple beliefs and Hinduism to a religious event like the Ayyappa Sangamam is hypocritical and offensive to devotees. BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar likened the invitation to "Hitler celebrating Jews". Stalin ultimately declined the invitation, citing prior commitments, but deputized two ministers to attend in his place.
Critics have also drawn comparisons to the 2018 Sabarimala women's entry controversy, when the LDF government faced backlash for attempting to implement a Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple. Opponents argue that the Ayyappa Sangamam is a cynical attempt by the CPI(M) to repair its image and win back Hindu voters after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the party reportedly focused on minority issues. Some suggest that the government is trying to appease "majority communalism" after losses in the Lok Sabha elections.
Adding to the controversy, a petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court challenging the government's decision to conduct the Sangamam, arguing that it is unconstitutional for the government to engage in non-secular religious activities. The petition alleges that the event promotes a specific religious message and compels the TDB to act beyond its legal scope, effectively using the board to organize a political function under the guise of promoting the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
The controversy surrounding the Global Ayyappa Sangamam highlights the complex interplay of religion, politics, and electoral calculations in Kerala. While the government defends the event as a non-political effort to promote Sabarimala's spiritual significance, opponents view it as a calculated move to appease Hindu voters and regain lost ground, potentially at the expense of the LDF's secular image. The event has provided an opportunity for the BJP to reignite past religious sentiments and criticize the LDF's perceived hypocrisy, further intensifying the political atmosphere in the state.
