Thu Feb 05 06:55:00 UTC 2026: ### Kerala Assembly Disrupted Amid Protests Over Sabarimala Gold Theft

The Story:
The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed significant disruptions on February 5, 2026, as the Congress-led UDF (United Democratic Front) intensified its protests regarding the Sabarimala gold theft case. The opposition’s actions led to the early adjournment of the day’s proceedings. The UDF is demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Home Department of pressuring the special investigation team (SIT) handling the case. Amid the chaos, the Kerala Appropriation Bill was introduced and passed without discussion, and a resolution was adopted demanding the Union government repeal the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G).

Key Points:

  • The UDF protested the Sabarimala gold theft, demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan.
  • The UDF accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of pressuring the SIT.
  • The Kerala Appropriation Bill was introduced and passed without discussion due to the disruptions.
  • The Assembly adopted a resolution against the Union government’s VB-G RAM G scheme, seeking the restoration of MGNREGS.
  • Speaker A.N. Shamseer criticized the UDF’s behavior in the Assembly, including rushing the dais and attempting to strike Watch and Ward staff with a banner pole.
  • Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal criticized the Opposition for not participating in discussions on the Kerala Budget and other critical national-level developments.
  • Minister for Local Self Government M.B. Rajesh noted that the High Court expressed satisfaction with the SIT probe.

Critical Analysis:
The disruption in the Kerala Assembly highlights the deep political divisions within the state, specifically concerning the Sabarimala gold theft case. The BJP state chief, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has also called for the case to be referred to the CBI, further intensifying the political pressure. The UDF’s strategy appears to be aimed at maximizing public attention and exerting pressure on the ruling CPI(M) to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. The government’s willingness to discuss the issue suggests an attempt to mitigate the damage, but the UDF remains skeptical and committed to escalating their protests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Sabarimala gold theft case has become a major point of contention in Kerala politics.
  • The UDF is using disruptive tactics to pressure the government and influence the investigation.
  • The government is attempting to manage the situation by offering discussions, but the opposition remains unsatisfied.
  • Disruptions in the Assembly are hindering important legislative processes, such as budget discussions.
  • The involvement of national-level political figures like Rajeev Chandrasekhar indicates the potential for the issue to escalate beyond the state level.

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