Kerala Assembly Suspends 3 Congress MLAs in Sabarimala Idol Gold Row

The Kerala Legislative Assembly’s final session days were disrupted repeatedly this week as opposition members protested alleged irregularities in the gold plating of guardian deity idols at the Sabarimala temple, culminating in the suspension of three Congress legislators and heated exchanges between parties and assembly officials. The unrest, which began on October 6 and extended through the session’s close, played out in the assembly chamber in Thiruvananthapuram and prompted adjournments, a brief halt to Question Hour and the removal of three lawmakers for the remainder of the session.

Lawmakers from the United Democratic Front pressed demands for the resignation of Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and sought answers after the Kerala High Court heard that gold-clad copper coverings on the dwarapalaka idols had been removed and sent out of the temple for maintenance without prior notice. Opposition members entered the well of the House on multiple days, shouted slogans, displayed banners and attempted to approach the Speaker’s dais. Watch and ward personnel intervened, and government ministers later said the assembly’s chief marshal was injured during a scuffle and required...