Pulikali fund row: Suresh Gopi blames 'vile political games' for year-long delay in Centre aid

Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi on Tuesday distributed the Centre's financial assistance to Pulikali troupes in Thrissur, while accusing Kerala government officials and departments of deliberately delaying the funds.

The assistance, amounting to Rs 24 lakh for eight Pulikali teams, was distributed at the Thrissur Collectorate. The funds had originally been sanctioned for the 2025 Pulikali festival but were delayed over alleged non-compliance with conditions prescribed by the Union Tourism Ministry.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony at the Thrissur Collectorate, Gopi accused the Kerala government’s Tourism Department and officials of deliberately delaying the release of the funds for political reasons.

The assistance comes ahead of this year’s Pulikali, which is scheduled to be held at Swaraj Round in Thrissur on Saturday, August 29.

Suresh Gopi alleges political interference

Gopi alleged that a “degrading political game” was played by involving government departments and officials to delay the Centre’s assistance to the Pulikali teams.

He said the Tourism Department and officials had engaged in what he described as “heinous political games” against him. Gopi also said he had personally contacted Tourism Secretary Biju several times regarding the release of the funds.

According to the minister, he had made it clear that he wanted to be directly involved in the process. He said his instructions had been given specifically to the State Tourism Secretary and the District Collector, rather than to junior officials.

Gopi strongly criticised officials, including the former District Collector, whom he alleged had a role in delaying the assistance.

He said the Centre could not release the funds without receiving a letter from the State government. According to him, action was finally taken after he warned that he would bring the matter before the public before this year’s Pulikali.

Centre had sanctioned ₹24 lakh for eight teams

The Centre had sanctioned ₹24 lakh for eight Pulikali teams, with each troupe eligible for ₹3 lakh.

The assistance was originally sought as part of the State government’s request for ₹40 lakh for organising the 2025 Pulikali festival.

The Union Tourism Ministry had sanctioned the ₹24 lakh assistance on a reimbursement basis, subject to compliance with specified guidelines.

On August 5, Gopi said the funds had been sanctioned as a special relaxation after the State government gave an official assurance that the guidelines would be strictly followed in future.

The minister had said the decision was intended to ensure that the cultural significance of Thrissur’s Pulikali was not affected by the delay.

BJP had earlier blamed Tourism Department

The Pulikali troupes themselves had raised the issue in June, urging the Union government to release the assistance announced for the previous year’s festival.

At a joint meeting, representatives of several troupes said they had submitted the documents requested by the District Tourism Promotion Council but had received no response for months.

The teams sought Gopi’s intervention and warned that they would launch protests if the funds continued to be delayed.

They said they had learnt through media reports, shortly before last year’s festival, that the Union Tourism Ministry had announced ₹3 lakh each for the Pulikali troupes.

The teams also pointed out that ₹1 lakh each had been provided to them during the previous two years through the South Zone Cultural Centre. That assistance had already been distributed, while the Centre’s promised aid remained pending, they said.

Several troupes cited financial difficulties and decided to submit memorandums to Gopi and the District Collector. They also warned of protest programmes if there was no favourable response.

However. BJP Thrissur city district president Justin Jacob alleged that the release of the Central assistance had been held up because the State authorities failed to comply with conditions prescribed by the Union Tourism Ministry.

According to Jacob, the conditions included displaying the Ministry of Tourism and ‘Incredible India’ logos on publicity material, acknowledging Central assistance, screening promotional videos of the Ministry and preparing documentation videos of the event.

The guidelines also required the Ministry’s support to be mentioned during the inaugural and concluding ceremonies and called for coordination of social media campaigns with the Ministry.

Jacob alleged that district Tourism authorities had failed to communicate these conditions to the Pulikali teams before the event. He claimed that the guidelines were brought to their attention only after the festival had concluded and documents had been submitted.

He also accused the then district administration and Tourism Department officials of failing to properly implement the Centre’s instructions.

Gopi says Centre support is unprecedented

At Tuesday’s event, Gopi said there had been no previous instance of the Central government directly providing financial assistance to Pulikali in Kerala.

He attributed the release of the funds to his election by the people of Thrissur and his subsequent responsibility for the Tourism portfolio at the Centre.

The minister also criticised those whom he accused of spreading false narratives against him during the election. He said they should now take responsibility for what had happened.

Gopi further alleged that a politician elected from Thrissur and later appointed a minister had supported the actions he was criticising.

He said he was prepared to face any political controversy arising from the issue.

Pulikali returns to Swaraj Round on August 29

Pulikali is one of Thrissur’s best-known Onam traditions, with performers painting themselves in tiger-like patterns and dancing to traditional percussion.

The annual event is held around Swaraj Round, drawing large crowds and multiple participating troupes.

For 2026, Pulikali is scheduled for Saturday, August 29. The release of the pending Central assistance comes less than two weeks before this year’s event.