Finance – Allegations of Fund Irregularities Rock Ayyappa Meet
Finance – Fresh controversy has erupted in Kerala over alleged financial irregularities linked to the Global Ayyappa Meet associated with Sabarimala, with senior opposition leaders questioning the handling of funds and demanding detailed disclosures from the government.
The row gained momentum after the Kerala High Court raised concerns regarding financial accountability related to the event, which was held last year. The matter has now spilled into the political arena, with the Opposition accusing the state government of presenting inconsistent information before different forums.
Opposition Questions Government’s Version
Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan have alleged serious discrepancies in the financial details surrounding the meet. They have directly targeted Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan, accusing him of providing misleading information in the Kerala Assembly.
Chennithala announced that he would move a breach of privilege motion against the Minister when the Assembly reconvenes on February 23. According to him, the Minister had stated in the House that funds collected for the event were transferred to the Travancore Devaswom Board. However, he claimed that the entire amount had not actually been handed over.
He further questioned why the government’s submissions before the High Court appeared to differ from the statements made in the Assembly. “Why are there two sets of figures before the Assembly and the High Court?” he asked, calling for a transparent explanation from both the government and the Devaswom Board.
Discrepancies in Financial Reporting
Radhakrishnan echoed similar concerns, describing the event as a financial burden that now requires clear clarification. He stressed that statements made in the Assembly carry official authority and must reflect accurate information.
Both leaders have demanded that the complete accounts of the Ayyappa Meet, including sponsorship details and expenditure statements, be made public. They also sought answers regarding how organisational responsibilities were assigned and whether any expenditure claims were exaggerated.
Chennithala raised specific questions about billing practices, alleging that payments may have been claimed for programmes that were not conducted. He also pointed to possible inconsistencies in logistics-related spending and vendor payments.
Former Board President Responds
Amid mounting criticism, former Travancore Devaswom Board president P. S. Prasanth defended the financial management of the event. In a public statement shared on social media, he dismissed allegations of large-scale misuse of funds and said the claims were misleading.
According to Prasanth, around Rs 3 crore had been spent to organise the event, and this amount was entirely sourced through sponsorships. He added that an additional Rs 1 crore was also received as sponsorship support.
He explained that an advance of Rs 3 crore had initially been drawn under the head “Religious Conferences and Discourses” to facilitate organisational arrangements. However, once sponsorship funds were received, the advance was fully repaid on October 17, 2025. He maintained that no funds from the Devaswom Board’s own resources were ultimately used for the meet.
Prasanth also referred to an interim report submitted before the Kerala High Court on November 4, 2025, in which the Devaswom Commissioner reportedly stated that the total expenditure stood at Rs 4.5 crore plus GST. He said these figures were available for public verification.
Board to Review the Matter
With a new Travancore Devaswom Board now in place, officials are expected to convene soon to examine the controversy and provide clarifications. The Board is likely to review financial records and respond formally to the allegations raised by opposition leaders.
As the Assembly session resumes, the issue is set to trigger intense debate. The controversy has underscored the broader demand for transparency in the management of funds linked to major religious events, especially those connected to Sabarimala.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the government and the Devaswom authorities as they prepare to address questions over financial accountability and public trust.