Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Kerala on Sunday, January 11, 2026, strongly criticized the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) over the ongoing Sabarimala gold theft case. He explicitly demanded that the investigation be handed over to a neutral agency, citing concerns about the impartiality of the current probe by state authorities. Shah, while inaugurating the BJP's 'Mission 2026' program for the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala, accused the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government of failing to protect the revered Sabarimala Ayyappa temple's treasury and the faith of its devotees. He claimed to have reviewed the First Information Report (FIR) and alleged that it contained loopholes designed to protect the actual culprits. Furthermore, Shah raised suspicions about the involvement of two state ministers and suggested a possible collusion between the LDF and UDF in the matter. The Sabarimala gold theft case, which dates back to alleged irregularities in gold plating work, has recently seen significant developments. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), acting on orders from the Kerala High Court, arrested the temple's chief priest (Tantri) Kandararu Rajeevaru on January 9, 2026, for his alleged links to the prime accused and 'silent permission' for replating activities outside the temple premises. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), further intensifying the probe into the financial aspects of the alleged crime. Shah warned that the BJP would launch protests and public awareness campaigns across Kerala until a neutral agency takes over the investigation, framing it as a matter of national concern for devotees.