The Sabarimala Karma Samiti has taken objection to a reported statement of social activist Sunny M. Kapikad about Lord Ayyappa, which, according to the organisation, is derogatory in nature.Ridiculing the divine concept of Lord Ayyappa’s celibacy goes beyond legitimate criticism of a religious belief and hurts the religious sentiments of devotees.The concept of eternal celibacy, the sacred association with Malikappurathamma, the eighteenth sacred step, and the observance of vritham are integral to the traditional practices and spiritual heritage of the temple, said S.J.R. Kumar, general convener of the samiti.The samiti will initiate legal steps to safeguard the sanctity and traditional practices of Sabarimala and protect the faith and dignity of Ayyappa devotees, he said in a statement.Responding to the developments, Mr. Kapikkad said he took only a critical view of the “falsehoods and illogical arguments perpetuated by the so-called defenders of the eternal celibacy concept of Lord Ayyappa.”However, he said he regretted the use of an off-the-cuff remark during the speech.According to Mr. Kapikkad, it was the so-called defenders of the concept of eternal celibacy who lowered its value through their skewed versions. They even used it as a defence for not implementing the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of women to the hill temple, he said.He suspected that the allegations were part of a larger conspiracy to divert public attention from the issue of gold theft in Sabarimala temple, in which a senior priest of the temple was arrested. No religious sentiments were seen hurt when the priest was arrested. No one seemed to be worried about the looting of gold donated by devotees to various temples across the State. The reported donation theft at the Ayodhya Ram temple also didn’t cause any concern to these sections, he said. Published - August 27, 2026 10:08 pm IST