Final decision on funding Global Ayyappa Sangamam not yet taken, Kerala govt. tells HC

The State government verbally informed the Kerala High Court on Monday that a final decision on the funding and allied aspects of Global Ayyappa Sangamam is yet to be taken, and that only talks were held in this regard.

The submission was made while the court was hearing a petition filed by M. Nandakumar, a Kalamassery resident and secretary of Haindaveeyam Foundation. He challenged the alleged move to provide government funding for the meet which he claimed was more of a political event, and also the government’s decision to conduct the meet in association with the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at Pampa on September 20.

‘Beyond duty of govt.’

He said it is not proper to spend funds on the event that is reportedly being held in the name of religion and contended that the government ought to keep off religious matters. The Sangamam, which claims to propagate the message of ‘Thatwamasi’ and to project Sabarimala as a spiritual and sustainable global pilgrimage centre, went beyond the secular duties of the government. The government is thus effectively using TDB to organise a political function, under the guise of promoting the Sabarimala pilgrimage and Hindu faith, he alleged in his petition.

The court’s vacation Bench headed by Justice Anil K. Narendran posted the case for hearing before the Devaswom Bench on September 9.