Thiruvananthapuram, October 6, 2025 A blistering Facebook post by former Kerala Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. TP Senkumar has reignited public fury over the alleged disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple’s Dwarapalaka sculptures.
In a satirical jab, Senkumar accused the Kerala government and the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) of inventing a “new alchemy” by converting “about 30 kilograms of gold into copper plates” over nine years, sarcastically suggesting they deserve a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the feat. The post, shared on Sunday morning, has sparked widespread reactions, amplifying demands for accountability amid an ongoing Kerala High Court-ordered probe into the controversy.
Senkumar’s Scathing Satire Goes Viral
In his Facebook post, Senkumar drew a provocative comparison: “While US President Donald Trump looks for a Nobel Peace Prize, in Kerala, a Nobel Prize for Chemistry may be coming! New Alchemy Invented By Government of Kerala & Travancore Devaswom Board!” Referencing historical alchemists like Sir Isaac Newton, who failed to transmute base metals into gold, and CERN’s fleeting 2025 gold synthesis experiment, he lambasted the authorities for allegedly allowing sacred gold offerings to vanish from the hilltop shrine. “They have successfully converted about 30 kilograms of gold into copper plates in about 9 years of their rule,” he wrote, urging that the TDB and Devaswom Minister be recommended for a Nobel for their “remarkable invention of converting gold into copper without anybody’s knowledge.”
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The post, accompanied by images of the Dwarapalaka idols, garnered hundreds of shares and comments within hours, resonating with devotees and critics alike. It has intensified scrutiny on the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, especially as the temple prepares for the November pilgrimage season.
The Controversy: Missing Gold and Shady Processes
The scandal centers on the gold-plated copper panels adorning the 18th-century Dwarapalaka sculptures, which guard the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. In 2019, these panels, weighing approximately 150 kilograms, were removed for restoration and re-plating by Chennai-based firm Smart Creations, reportedly without proper documentation. A similar exercise in 2025 revealed discrepancies, with returned panels appearing heavier but lacking the promised gold overlay, prompting suspicions of pilferage.
Key issues include:
- Lack of Documentation: The TDB’s chief vigilance officer informed the Kerala High Court of missing records for the gold involved, raising fears of untraceable losses.
- Opaque Intermediary: Bengaluru-based businessman Unnikrishnan Potti, who facilitated the restoration, faces allegations of procedural lapses and fundraising without transparency.
- Quantified Loss: While Senkumar cited 30 kg, official estimates confirm at least 4.54 kg of gold missing, with broader concerns about gold accumulated since 1998, when industrialists funded the original plating.
The High Court, responding to a TDB petition, has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe potential embezzlement or substandard work, mandating the panels’ immediate return to the temple.
Political and Public Backlash
Senkumar’s post has fueled a political firestorm, with United Democratic Front (UDF) legislators disrupting the Kerala Assembly on Monday, demanding a judicial inquiry. Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan accused the LDF of enabling “gold smuggling networks,” while KPCC chief K. Sudhakaran alleged systemic mismanagement of temple assets. The BJP, eyeing Sabarimala’s Hindu vote base, labeled the scandal a “conspiracy” against devotees.
Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan rejected the allegations, calling them a “fabricated conspiracy” to defame the government ahead of the pilgrimage season. The TDB insists no gold was lost, attributing discrepancies to routine maintenance. However, devotees expressed anguish online, with one commenting under Senkumar’s post, “If Sabarimala’s gold isn’t safe, what trust remains for pilgrims?”
Implications for Temple Governance
The controversy highlights longstanding concerns over Kerala’s state-managed temple boards, which oversee billions in assets. With Sabarimala generating over ₹1,500 crore annually, much from gold donations, the alleged lapses have eroded public trust. The SIT’s findings, expected as the High Court reconvenes next week, could reshape temple governance and influence Kerala’s political landscape.
Senkumar’s Facebook post, blending biting humor with a call for justice, has turned a temple scandal into a public crusade, ensuring the quest for truth at Sabarimala remains front and center.
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