Thrissur Pooram Row: Union MoS Suresh Gopi Demands CBI Probe; Kerala CM Denies Oppn Claim Of 'Sabotage'

Union Minister Suresh Gopi demands a CBI investigation into the alleged disruption of the Thrissur Pooram festival, criticising the Kerala government's handling. CM Pinarayi Vijayan denies UDF allegations.

Union MoS Suresh Gopi on Monday called for a CBI investigation into the alleged disruption of the Thrissur Pooram festival in April this year, criticising the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government over its handling of the incident. Gopi, the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, made this demand during a convention for BJP Chelakkara bypoll candidate K Balakrishnan.

Addressing the event, Gopi denied previous claims by BJP leaders that he had arrived at the Pooram venue in an ambulance. "I went there in the private car of the BJP district president, not an ambulance, as Surendran (BJP state president K Surendran) believes," he clarified, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Accusing the state government of attempting to obscure the truth, Gopi asserted, "If Pinarayi Vijayan's police handle the investigation, the reality will remain hidden. Only a CBI inquiry can bring the truth to light." He challenged the state government, stating, "If they have the courage, they should ask the CBI to carry out the investigation. I am ready to face it."

The Thrissur Pooram controversy has sparked political debate in Kerala, especially after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan maintained that there was no disruption of the festival or its rituals. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan echoed the Chief Minister's view, while the opposition Congress-led UDF disagreed with the claim.

Meanwhile, the Thrissur East Police registered a case following a report by the special investigation team that was set up to probe the allegations surrounding the festival. Opposition parties, including the Congress and the CPI, have accused that the disruption was orchestrated to help the BJP win the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat by stirring Hindu sentiments.

Visuals of Gopi reportedly arriving at the venue in an ambulance have surfaced in the media. However, BJP leaders countered these claims, asserting that the actor-turned-politician was present to ensure that the ceremonies adhered to traditional rituals. Gopi further alleged that the ruling CPI(M) is concerned that an impartial probe could reveal the true reasons behind the disruption. "They are worried that many, including former and current ministers, could be questioned. I arrived at the venue on that day to inquire about the police atrocities against hundreds of Pooram lovers," he remarked, as quoted by PTI.

Thrissur Pooram Row: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Denies UDF Allegation Of Disruption To Help BJP

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated on Monday that the Thrissur Pooram festival was not disrupted, dismissing the Opposition's claims as "exaggerated campaigns" suggesting that the festival was completely mishandled in April. While acknowledging that certain issues arose in connection with the event, he emphasised that all such matters would be reviewed, PTI reported.

Vijayan assured that the state government is making efforts to conduct the festival smoothly in the future, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). He also highlighted that while the festival’s firework display had been delayed, the government had maintained a consistent stance on the issue. "The government has always taken the same stand in this regard... that Pooram was not disrupted. But, there had been efforts to make it messy," the Chief Minister stated.

He noted that this position had already been clarified in the cabinet's decision regarding the inquiry and in the Assembly. The Chief Minister added that the Devaswoms, the festival organisers, had made adjustments to certain rituals, affecting the overall timing.

The Chief Minister further questioned the Opposition's insistence on portraying the Pooram as a failure, saying, "Why is the Opposition so eager to establish that Pooram was completely sabotaged when efforts are being made to ascertain the reason for everything that happened (on the day)?"

Vijayan also took aim at the Sangh Parivar, alleging that they sought to use the Pooram festivities for communal gains. He criticised the Congress-led UDF for aligning with the Sangh Parivar’s narrative instead of politically countering such "malicious moves." He accused the UDF of acting like a "B team" of the right-wing group.

If any negligence or misconduct is found at the official level, it would be dealt with according to the law, the Chief Minister assured. He also noted that this year's firework display, typically held in the early hours, was conducted in broad daylight for the first time, resulting in disappointment among festival enthusiasts.

The alleged police interference in the Pooram festivities and the delay in the fireworks display have led to intense criticism of the CPI(M)-led government from opposition parties, further fuelling the ongoing political controversy in the state.