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**Summary:**

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, has expressed hesitation regarding the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) support for the Travancore Devasom Board’s (TDB) planned Global Ayyappa Sangamam, an event intended to boost development at the Sabarimala temple. While softening the UDF’s earlier stance of non-cooperation, Satheesan laid out several conditions for support, including the withdrawal of cases against devotees from the 2018 “Save Sabarimala” campaign, the retraction of the government’s Supreme Court affidavit favoring the entry of women of all ages into the temple, and disavowal of the Navodhana Samrakshana Samithi. He accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of using the temple for financial gain and alleged that their newfound interest in Sabarimala is a political ploy to attract Hindu votes ahead of local elections. Key Hindu organizations have signaled support for the Sangamam if it remains apolitical and protects traditional practices. UDF allies, like the IUML, don’t see political motivation.

**News Article:**

**Kerala Opposition Demands Concessions Before Backing Sabarimala Development Event**

**Thiruvananthapuram, India – September 3, 2025** – Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, has cast doubt on the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) support for the Travancore Devasom Board’s (TDB) upcoming Global Ayyappa Sangamam. The event, scheduled for September 20th at Pampa, aims to gather Ayyappa devotees from around the world to develop a roadmap for Sabarimala’s development as an international religious destination.

While indicating a potential shift from the UDF’s previous firm stance of non-cooperation, Satheesan laid out several preconditions for support. These include the withdrawal of cases against devotees stemming from the 2018 “Save Sabarimala” campaign, when the LDF government attempted to enforce a Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages into the temple. Satheesan also demanded that the LDF government retract its affidavit in the Supreme Court in favor of allowing women into the temple, and disavow the Navodhana Samrakshana Samithi, a forum created to counter right-wing opposition during the 2018 protests.

Satheesan accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of exploiting Sabarimala for financial gain and neglecting its development since taking power in 2016. He further alleged that the LDF’s sudden interest in Sabarimala is a cynical pre-election maneuver to win over Hindu voters, after failing to connect with Muslim and Christian voters.

“The sudden affinity for Sabarimala is LDF’s political gambit to corral Hindu votes,” Satheesan stated at a press conference held in Thiruvananthapuram today. He fears that these actions will benefit Hindutva forces.

Several major Hindu organizations, including the Nair Service Society and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, have tentatively expressed support for the Sangamam, provided that it remains apolitical and that Sabarimala’s traditional practices, including the ban on women of childbearing age, are protected. Some within the UDF, such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), have stated they do not see political motivation in the Sangamam. The UDF’s final decision on whether to support the event remains uncertain.

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