The Kerala High Court has been hearing multiple petitions challenging the proposed Global Ayyappa Sangamam, an event to be held on the banks of the Pamba River and organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board in association with the State government. A number of petitioners, including M. Nandakumar of the Haindaveeyam Foundation and advocate Ajeesh Kalathil Gopi, have contested the government’s involvement in the Sangamam on constitutional grounds, arguing that the state lacks authority to engage in religious functions or events that promote a specific faith.
During hearings, the State, represented by the Advocate General K. Gopala Krishna Kurup, defended its role as being purely supportive. The Advocate General submitted that the Travancore Devaswom Board is organizing the event, and the government’s role would be limited to assistance, drawing parallels with the assistance governments provide to large religious gatherings like the Maha Kumbh Mela. In their submissions, the petitioners pressed that even providing auxiliary support for such religious events risks violating the constitutional principle of secular governance. They also raised concerns that the event may be used for political gains under the guise of religious promotion.
The petitioners have also questioned how the event is being funded. They sought clarity from the government on whether public funds or temple funds would be deployed, and if there is a possibility of collecting funds from devotees under the pretext of donations or fees. In response, the Advocate General acknowledged that some funds may indeed be used for Sabarimala development under the State’s Master Plan for Sabarimala, which earmarks a substantial budget, and that the Sangamam has links to that larger plan.
Another point of contention raised by petitioners is the event’s stated capacity of 3,000 attendees. They argue that the cap seems inconsistent with the proclaimed aim of global unity and large-scale spiritual gathering, and wonder whether this limit arises from logistical concerns or from a narrower interpretation of what "global" in the Sangamam means. They argue the dissonance raises questions about transparency and intent.
The High Court bench—Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar—posed pointed questions to the State about whether temple funds are being diverted or used to finance the event, and about the nature of accounts that would collect any public contributions or donations. These queries reflect judicial concern over potential misuse of funds belonging to religious institutions or from the public.
In addition to legal arguments, petitioners contend there is a constitutional issue vis-à-vis the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act: that the Travancore Devaswom Board may be acting beyond its statutorily defined functions by organizing a global religious event, rather than simply administering templary affairs. They have argued that the board is being used as an instrument by the government to perform functions not authorized under existing legislation.
At the hearing, the Court has reserved judgment after hearing all the arguments. It has directed the State government and the Travancore Devaswom Board to file affidavits clarifying the financials, the role of the government, the use of funds, and other operational details of the Sangamam.
The matter remains under active judicial consideration. The petitions assert that the State’s support of the event should be restrained, especially in scenarios where the government’s role may infringe upon secular principles or misuse religious institution funds. The High Court is expected to weigh these constitutional challenges, the statutory mandate of the Devaswom Board, and the submitted government affidavits before arriving at a decision.
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