Sabarimala gold robbery exposes deep corruption in Kerala’s temple administration
The Sabarimala gold robbery that is making headlines every day in the media has opened a Pandora’s Box of large-scale organized theft, happening in every temple in Kerala. Concerns are being rightly expressed that similar orchestrated robberies are occurring in temples across India. Most unfortunately, it is the officials of the Devaswom Boards/ Devasthanams/ Sansthan Trusts/ Hindu Religious Institutions & Charitable Endowments or Muzrai temples, who are spearheading the robbery operations.
The officials in charge of temples at every level are all party workers of the political party in power, and many, especially in Kerala. Tamil Nadu are atheists, and have been accommodated in various temple boards, with a tacit understanding that they can freely indulge in misappropriation of Temple funds, indulge in racketeering in Special Darshan tickets (including printing fake ticket booklets), commissions in selling adulterated ‘Prasadams’, auctioning of offerings given by devotees, constructing VIP guest houses using sub-standard materials, floating tenders for various Temple related projects and taking bribes for appointments of priests and other temple employees.
It is not that the genuine devotees were not aware of the above malfeasance, misfeasance, and maladministration, happening unhindered routinely. As Hindus are highly law-abiding and docile, many were knocking at the doors of various courts, seeking justice and parity with other religions, which enjoy absolute autonomy to administer their religious institutions. However, for decades at a stretch, the pleas and prayers of over 1000+ million Hindus have been treated with absolute disdain and ridicule, which has emboldened continuous robbery.
Traffickers of temple assets have been systematically robbing offerings of gold, silver, precious stones, expensive silk sarees, even Vigrahas or Murtis, and, of course, Hundi money, and money placed at the feet of various deities. Thousands of acres of land assets have vanished, as the original documents have been made untraceable or have been boldly encroached upon by vested interests. The Sabarimala Temple robbery, or more correctly, trafficking in temple assets, has given a glimpse of what is happening in every temple across India.
As things stand, there is little hope of Hindus getting any kind of autonomy to administer their places of worship. No political party, even those claiming to defend Hindus, has the liberation of temples on its agenda. The judiciary is not inclined to even list temple-related cases for hearing, and the executive is absolutely helpless. While Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jain communities enjoy absolute freedom of worship and full rights to administer their places of worship, it is only the Hindus who have been singled out for discriminatory treatment, and yet our political leaders cry hoarse that India gives fundamental rights and freedom of religion to its citizens! Neither any Swamis, Ammas, nor Gurujis are campaigning for the liberation of temples; all are afraid that their multi-crore Ashrams would be taken over by the government. Neither the United Nations nor any of the umpteen international voluntary organizations, supposedly engaged in fighting for religious freedom, have shown any concern for the plight of Hindus. There are innumerable UN institutions that have been set up to protect religious freedom, like the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, UN Human Rights Council, UN General Assembly, and Human Rights Committee. The Americans have set up the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (US CIRF). The Europeans have set up the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). All these organizations are supposedly set up to work to protect and monitor religious freedom, both within Europe and abroad. These are the organizations that make the maximum noise if any missionary gets obstructed in their task of destroying indigenous faiths and converting people. They are also blind to the fact that the people have a right to defend their indigenous faith, culture, and heritage. When 1000 million plus Hindus are denied their right to administer their places of worship, systematic looting of temple wealth, antiques, and land assets has been happening for decades, and the judiciary procrastinates on the matter, where are these international organizations? How can Hindus untie this Gordian knot?
Gen Z is reshaping the future of many countries, especially by raising its voice against rampant corruption. Gen Z must raise its voice against the naked loot of temple assets and properties. It is not just the corruption, but the sanctity of the temples, their history, heritage, and wealth that are being destroyed systematically. For decades, the politicians of this country were peddling the narrative of religious freedom and wore this crown with fake pride, sold it on diplomatic podiums, and repeated it ad nauseam in speeches and headlines, everywhere.
But today, this well-constructed narrative stands exposed. Massive looting is happening in every Temple, be it small or big. The Central government is unable to intervene as it is a State subject. The judiciary is hibernating. It is only appropriate that Gen Z steps in to liberate temples from the clutches of politicians. Gen Z, which is adept at using digital tools, can use them to organize protests and also to articulate a broader demand for dignity and justice for Hindus. Activists, bloggers, and digital creators have to go on the offensive, as the current government in Kerala is attempting to tide over this scam, as was done successfully in the 2020 gold smuggling case involving a diplomatic baggage.
All Gen Z protests are leaderless, tech-savvy, and draw energy from online platforms and informal networks, cutting across political and economic divisions to protest against a broader system of corruption and indifference. Digital activism, also known as cyber-activism or online activism, involves the use of digital tools and platforms to facilitate political and social campaigns. The Arab Spring, the July Revolution in Bangladesh, and the Black Lives Matter movement remain notable examples, demonstrating how social media can be harnessed to organize protests, disseminate information, and galvanize global support. Kerala’s young Hindus have to mobilize support from not only inside Kerala but also the vast network of NRIs spread out across the globe, to liberate Sabarimala and all temples from illegal government control. Digital activism has evolved beyond simply using social media platforms; it can emerge as a powerful mechanism to challenge entrenched systems of corruption and oppression and facilitate the liberation of temples.
A mass mobilization of Gen Z Keralites can take to social media to educate each other about the organized looting happening at Sabarimala and other Devaswom-controlled temples, organize coordinated demonstrations state-wide and nationwide. The 2026 Legislative Assembly elections are due in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and it is the appropriate time to show the growing importance of digital spaces in both organizing collective action and maintaining pressure on the government. Digital activism transcends platform limitations. It merges online and offline strategies, amplifying underrepresented voices while also coordinating tangible protests on the ground. Digital activism’s capacity to bypass traditional media gatekeepers allows for broader representation and empowers historically marginalized voices. The decentralized nature of these digital platforms helps avoid state co-option while simultaneously engaging local and international audiences. Gen Z should take the initiative to utilize the coming 2026 elections to liberate all the temples from the draconian government control and judicial apathy.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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