BJP and Congress accuse Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's government of jailing Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru out of revenge over his opposition to women's entry, following his bail in a gold theft case amid claims of no evidence.

Tantri Granted Bail Amid Court Scrutiny

Kandararu Rajeevaru, the revered chief priest or Tantri of the Sabarimala Temple, walked free on February 18 after spending 41 days in Poojappura Central Prison. The Kollam Vigilance Court granted him bail in the high-profile gold theft case, observing that there was "not an iota of evidence" linking him to the alleged irregularities in gold-plated encasings and temple offerings. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed under Kerala High Court directions, had arrested him in January 2026, claiming his presence during key events and signatures on documents indicated involvement. However, the court dismissed these arguments, noting that as the temple's supreme religious authority, he receives substantial dakshina from devotees, explaining any financial transactions.

The Tantri's legal team argued that prior questioning in November 2025 and January 2026 was superficial, giving no indication of suspicion. They contended the arrest aimed to tarnish his reputation and create a false narrative of priestly complicity in the scam. The court rejected additional SIT reports on suspicious finances, emphasizing that such dealings were routine for his role. This development has shifted focus from the theft allegations to questions about the probe's direction and potential biases.

Opposition Alleges Political Vendetta

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan echoed these sentiments, demanding an explanation from the SIT and the resignation of Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan. Congress leaders, including AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, alleged the arrest diverted attention from evidence against ministers like Vasavan and former minister Kadakampally Surendran. They claimed the probe shifted to the Tantri when pressure mounted on the ruling CPI(M), protecting those higher up. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai labeled it "revenge" for the Tantri's firm stand against women of menstruating age entering the temple during the 2018-2019 controversy. He accused senior police of attempting forced entries at the behest of ruling party leaders, which the priest thwarted. Hindu organizations rallied behind the BJP, condemning the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for scapegoating priests to cover corruption.

The government is responsible for tantri’s arrest, and it is taking revenge for the priest not backing them in the 2019 women's entry.

The Kerala Assembly saw chaos as the United Democratic Front (UDF) stalled proceedings, boycotting sessions until the minister resigns. This agitation underscores Sabarimala's enduring sensitivity, a flashpoint that once mobilized massive protests. Opposition parties united in portraying the arrest as a deliberate trap, with the court order lending weight to their narrative of wrongful implication.

Government Defends Probe Integrity

State Minister M B Rajesh firmly rejected vendetta charges, insisting the SIT acted independently under High Court oversight. He stressed that the Tantri, like any citizen, has no special immunity, and the government was not privy to investigation details. The ruling CPI(M) countered by placing the Tantri among "big thieves" in initial responses, though silence followed the bail. Critics argue this reflects discomfort with the court's stark observations. The gold scam probe, involving alleged illicit transactions of temple offerings, continues amid these clashes, with the High Court monitoring progress. Devotees and political observers watch closely, as the case intertwines faith, tradition, and governance.

Supporters of the government point to the SIT's remand reports, which highlighted the Tantri's failure to prevent gold transport from the shrine. Yet, the bail ruling undermines these claims, prompting calls for transparency. The episode revives debates on temple administration, political meddling in religious affairs, and accountability in Kerala's Left-led regime. As protests persist, the opposition leverages the issue to challenge Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's administration ahead of potential electoral battles.

The bail of Sabarimala Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru has ignited a fierce political battle, with BJP and Congress accusing the Vijayan government of revenge over past temple entry rows, while the court finds no evidence against him. The gold theft probe faces scrutiny, highlighting tensions between tradition, faith, and state power in Kerala.

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