Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday demanded that Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan hand over the investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case to a “neutral investigation agency,” alleging that the state police could not conduct an impartial probe.

Addressing BJP workers and newly elected local body representatives in Thiruvananthapuram, Shah made the demand as he formally kicked off the party’s campaign for the upcoming Kerala assembly elections. He said he had examined the FIR in the case and claimed it appeared to shield the accused.

“How can an impartial investigation be conducted when even ministers are under suspicion?” Shah asked, alleging that leaders from both the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF were compromised. “I demand that the chief minister hand over the probe to a neutral agency. The BJP will conduct protests and door-to-door awareness campaigns for this,” he said.

Case Background

The Sabarimala gold theft cases, being probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police on the high court’s directions, relate to the alleged misappropriation of gold from the sheets covering the Dwarapalaka (guardian) idols and the door frames of the sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) in 2019. The alleged theft occurred under the guise of renovation and re-plating work. So far, at least 12 people have been arrested, including senior officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board, two CPI(M) leaders and the temple’s chief priest.

BJP’s Poll Pitch

Shah said “protection of faith,” along with “vikasit Kerala” (developed Kerala) and “surakshit Kerala” (secure Kerala), would be the three pillars of the BJP’s election campaign in the state. He asserted that only the BJP could safeguard believers’ interests in Kerala.

Highlighting the party’s electoral growth, Shah claimed the BJP’s vote share in Kerala had risen steadily—from 11% in 2014 to 16% in 2019 and 20% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections—and predicted it would touch 40% in the 2026 assembly polls. “There is a history in democratic politics that once a party crosses 20%, it doesn’t take five years to reach 40%. It jumps,” he said.

He cited the BJP’s rise in states such as Assam, Tripura, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh to argue that Kerala, too, would eventually have a BJP chief minister.

Attack on LDF and UDF

Shah accused both the LDF and UDF of stalling Kerala’s development through corruption and mutual non-aggression while in power. “Across the world, Communist governments are collapsing. Across India, Congress is dying. Kerala’s development, security and protection of faith can only be ensured by PM Modi and the BJP,” he said.

Shah arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday night, offered prayers at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, held meetings with BJP and NDA leaders, and returned to Delhi after concluding his visit.