Pathanamthitta: The Sabarimala Samrakshana Sangamam (Sabarimala protection conclave) organised by several Sangh Parivar-affiliated groups and Hindu forums in Kerala on Monday drew a large crowd, aiming to counter the Kerala government’s Global Ayyappa Sangamam at Pamba.

Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, in his inaugural address, directly criticised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, citing portions of the Bhagavad Gita to challenge his statements on Sabarimala devotees.

“Those who claim there is no god are now giving classes on Bhagavad Gita. If you quote from Chapter 12, at least learn that there are chapters beyond it as well,” Annamalai said. He further criticised the Pinarayi government for allegedly misusing laws and temple platforms, recalling attempts in 2018–19 to enforce the Supreme Court order lifting the ban on women aged 10–50 entering the temple.

Annamalai also criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. “It was Mr. Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi who spoke about eradicating Sanatana Dharma and it was Pinarayi Vijayan who invited Stalin. The Muruga conference was held in Madurai and Pinarayi merely replicated it here in Kerala,” he said.

The event, themed ‘Faith with Development’, was organised by Sabarimala Samrakshana Samithi, Hindu Aikya Vedi, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, among others, and witnessed participation from BJP leaders including state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP Tejasvi Surya, and veteran leader Kummanam Rajasekharan. The former Pandalam Palace Trust secretary P N Narayana Varma also played a key organisational role.

Organisers claimed attendance at the Pandalam conclave exceeded that of the government’s Pamba event, with a crowd joining in chants praising Lord Ayyappa, reflecting deep engagement among devotees. Pandalam, one of only two civic bodies in Kerala currently under BJP control, had previously voted for the party largely due to momentum from the 2018 Sabarimala protests. Observers noted that this latest mobilisation could test the BJP’s influence ahead of the next elections.