Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama on Monday as the Opposition created an uproar over the alleged disappearance of gold sheets used to plate the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala shrine.

The commotion forced Speaker AN Shamseer to cancel the Question hour and adjourn the Assembly temporarily.

Opposition leader VD Satheesan raised the issue during Question hour, demanding the resignation of the Devaswom Minister and the Travancore Devaswom Board President over the controversy. However, when the Speaker invited members to proceed with the scheduled questions, the Opposition staged a protest in the Assembly.

MLAs carried placards and banners with slogans such as “Ayyappan's gold stolen, temple devoured by looters”, surrounding the Speaker’s podium and obstructing his view. Ministers and ruling front members stood from their seats as tensions escalated.

Finance Minister KN Balagopal condemned the Opposition’s actions, calling the disruption “unprecedented and improper.” The Speaker intervened, stating that obstructing proceedings amounted to “disrespect towards the people,” and directed members to lower their banners, but protests continued. Amid the chaos, AN Shamseer cancelled Question hour and briefly adjourned the House, asking, “Why disrupt the House without even giving a single notice?”

Last week, the Opposition had attempted to move an adjournment motion on the same issue, but the Speaker rejected it, citing that the matter was under consideration by the Kerala High Court. Undeterred, the Opposition announced plans to intensify protests over the Sabarimala gold-plating controversy in the coming days.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh criticised the Opposition, saying: “This is the Assembly that has discussed the highest number of adjournment motions in Kerala's history. The government has consistently demonstrated the courage and confidence to address any issue. It is the Opposition that has now lost the courage even to face a discussion. The House is witnessing a government that is ready to confront issues, while the Opposition chooses to run away.”

He added: “Disrupting the Question hour is a sporadic act in history, a reflection of the Opposition's cowardice. If this is truly an important issue, why didn't they submit even an adjournment motion? They know that once the government allows a discussion, their falsehoods will be exposed. The Opposition came with a pre-written script, that's why they brought banners and placards. This is nothing but a staged drama. Before the people, the Opposition stands exposed. The Pinarayi government has a history of bringing every wrongdoer to justice. What the Opposition has shown today is utter disrespect to the House, the Chair, and the people”.

ANI inputs