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Kerala Assembly – The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed sharp disruptions on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers from the Congress-led United Democratic Front intensified protests over the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, leading to a temporary halt in proceedings.

Opposition Walkout and Protest Inside the House

Tensions escalated soon after the session began, with UDF members boycotting the Question Hour and entering the well of the House carrying placards and banners. The protest centered on accusations that the Chief Minister’s Office had interfered in the investigation into the missing temple gold, which is being handled by a Special Investigation Team. Opposition legislators raised slogans alleging that such interference weakened the credibility of the probe and benefited the accused.

Several opposition members, including Congress legislator Anwar Sadat, attempted to move toward the Speaker’s chamber as part of the protest. Assembly marshals and watch-and-ward personnel intervened to prevent them from entering restricted areas, leading to tense scenes inside the legislature.

Speaker Leaves Chair Amid Escalating Tensions

As the confrontation intensified, Speaker A N Shamseer rose from his chair and exited the House. Following his departure, Assembly proceedings were suspended for a brief period to restore order. Visuals from the session showed heated exchanges and physical restraint as officials attempted to manage the situation.

The disruption marked another instance of strained relations between the ruling Left Democratic Front and the opposition benches, with repeated interruptions affecting legislative business.

Allegations of Interference in Investigation

Addressing the House before the suspension, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan alleged that the investigation into the Sabarimala temple gold theft had been compromised. He claimed that intervention from the Chief Minister’s Office influenced the course of the SIT probe, pointing to the granting of bail to accused individuals as evidence of undue pressure.

Satheesan asserted that the matter involved public faith and accountability and therefore warranted immediate discussion in the Assembly. He maintained that attempts to dismiss the issue undermined transparency and public confidence.

Government Response and Ministerial Remarks

Responding to the opposition’s conduct, Education Minister V Sivankutty criticized the protesting lawmakers, stating that adherence to constitutional norms was essential for the smooth functioning of the legislature. He remarked that the Speaker’s efforts to maintain order were being deliberately challenged by the opposition, adding that procedural discipline must be respected.

The government side accused the opposition of resorting to disruption rather than constructive debate, arguing that established rules of the House were being ignored.

Earlier Adjournment Motion Rejection Recalled

The latest confrontation follows a similar episode earlier this month, when Speaker Shamseer rejected an adjournment motion moved by the opposition on February 2. That notice had sought a discussion on alleged irregularities in granting parole to convicted CPM members in the Payyannur steel bomb attack case, in which the accused were sentenced to 20 years in prison.

At the time, the Speaker ruled that the issue did not meet the criteria of urgent public importance required for an adjournment motion. The decision triggered protests on the floor of the House, with opposition members expressing dissatisfaction over the ruling.

Claims of Pre-Planned Disruption

Speaker Shamseer later accused the opposition of orchestrating a pre-planned protest, stating that procedural limitations had been communicated in advance. He said that even the Leader of the Opposition was aware that the adjournment motion could not be taken up under Assembly rules and urged him to withdraw the protest to allow proceedings to continue.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh also weighed in, asserting that the parole-related motion lacked urgency. He pointed out that the Assembly had convened multiple times since the last parole was granted and alleged that the opposition raised the issue due to a lack of substantive agenda.

Continuing Political Standoff

The repeated disruptions highlight the ongoing standoff between the ruling front and the opposition in Kerala’s legislature. With both sides holding firm to their positions, legislative sessions continue to face interruptions, raising concerns about the impact on governance and lawmaking.