What happened: Kerala Home Department inquiry and order to restart “Punyam Poonkavanam”

Kerala’s State Home Department inquiry cleared P. Vijayan, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) and former nodal officer for the Sabarimala pilgrimage zone clean-up initiative titled “Punyam Poonkavanam”. After concluding the inquiry and exonerating Vijayan of allegations raised against him, the Kerala government ordered Vijayan to revive and continue the clean-up project for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

Background and earlier position: what “Punyam Poonkavanam” was and how court oversight began

“Punyam Poonkavanam” was launched in 2011 as a community-based clean-up programme for key pilgrimage areas around Sabarimala. The programme is described as a volunteer-led effort aimed at keeping clean the Sannidhanam, Pampa, and surrounding pilgrimage areas. Reported stakeholders in the initiative included devotees and the Travancore Devaswom Board, along with other stakeholders. P. Vijayan led the initiative from the start. In 2015, the Kerala High Court designated Vijayan as the nodal officer for the programme.

What changed now: Home Department inquiry outcome lifted allegations and enabled project revival

After earlier controversy, the Kerala government acted through the State Home Department inquiry process. The Home Department concluded the inquiry and exonerated P. Vijayan. Based on this inquiry outcome, the Kerala government ordered Vijayan to revive and continue “Punyam Poonkavanam”.

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