Left’s Engagement with Sabarimala in Kerala is Not Opportunism, it is Part of a Longer Attempt to Democratise Religion

Dayal Paleri, National Law School of India University, Bengaluru

Abstract

This article examines the recent controversy over the Global Ayyappa Summit organised by the LDF government in Sabarimala. It argues that contrary to critics’ claims, this does not mark a sudden shift in the Left’s engagement with religion, particularly Hinduism, but should be seen as part of its longer attempt to engage with religion on democratic and reformist terms.