New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to halt the Global Ayyappa Summit scheduled on the banks of the Pamba river on September 20. The plea alleges that the state government is organising the event with political motives under the cover of the Travancore Devaswom Board. It also demands that Devaswom funds, which belong to God, not be diverted for political programmes. The matter may be taken up urgently by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Dr PS Mahendra Kumar, an Ayyappa devotee, has approached the court seeking to stop the Summit, which he argues has been prepared by the state government. The petitioner notes that atheist politicians have been invited, which shows political involvement. He argues that secularism is a basic principle of the Indian Constitution, and the government has no authority to propagate the ideas of any religious group.

The petition also contends that if the Global Ayyappa Summit goes ahead, future governments may conduct political events in the name of religious gatherings. It argues that the Travancore Devaswom Board has no authority to conduct a global religious meet. Another contention is that temple funds cannot be used for a programme run by the government with political objectives under the guise of the Devaswom Board. The petition stresses that Devaswom funds belong to God and should not be utilised for political purposes or campaigns.

The petition further points out that the coastal stretch of the Pamba river is an environmentally sensitive area, and holding the Summit there would violate previous High Court orders.

Senior advocate PB Krishnan and advocate MS Vishnu Shankar are representing the petitioners.