Veteran Bureaucrat and Scholar to Steer Sabarimala Affairs Amid Ongoing Controversies
In a decision that blends administrative experience with political strategy, the Kerala government has appointed K. Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary of Kerala and retired IAS officer from the 1978 batch, as the new President of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
The appointment was finalized following deliberations between Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, currently on an overseas visit. The official notification is expected to be issued after the Chief Minister’s return.
Sources within the CPM State Secretariat confirmed that five names were initially considered for the post, but Jayakumar emerged as the unanimous choice of the party leadership. Although Minister Vasavan had suggested an alternative candidate, the Chief Minister’s preference prevailed, citing Jayakumar’s long-standing administrative record and deep familiarity with Sabarimala’s institutional framework.
Strategic Appointment Amid Temple Management Challenges
Jayakumar’s appointment comes at a sensitive time when the Travancore Devaswom Board is under public and judicial scrutiny following multiple controversies — including the recent gold theft case at Sabarimala.
Party insiders describe his selection as a strategic attempt to rebuild trust among devotees, reinforce administrative discipline, and ensure a controversy-free pilgrimage season. The government also aims to project Jayakumar’s appointment as a confidence-building measure for both the devout community and the Kerala High Court, which has been closely monitoring temple-related affairs.
Jayakumar brings prior experience in the Devaswom sector, having served as Devaswom Secretary, Chief Devaswom Commissioner, and Chairman of the High Court-appointed committee on Sabarimala. During his previous tenure, he successfully oversaw two Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage seasons, earning praise for smooth coordination and transparent administration.
Transition at the Travancore Devaswom Board
Jayakumar replaces P. S. Prasanth, whose term as TDB President was initially considered for extension. However, the plan was shelved after the Kerala High Court criticized the board’s recent functioning.
The tenure of member A. Ajikumar also ends on November 12, with the CPI expected to nominate Vilappil Radhakrishnan as his successor. Meanwhile, P. D. Santhosh Kumar, representing the CPM, will continue as a board member until 2027.
Jayakumar’s Response: A Call for Calm and Clarity
Responding to the news, Jayakumar expressed humility and readiness for the responsibility. “I have not yet received any formal communication, but if the offer comes, I will gladly accept it,” he said in an interview with The New Indian Express.
He added, “Since I am familiar with the Devaswom administration, I hope to contribute effectively. Pilgrimage matters should not be mixed up with controversies.”
At present, Jayakumar serves as the Director of the Institute of Management in Government (IMG), Kerala, where he continues to mentor future administrators.
Profile: K. Jayakumar — The Administrator, Poet, and Cultural Visionary
Birth: October 6, 1952, Thiruvananthapuram
Parents: Scholar M. Krishnan Nair and Sulochana Devi
Civil Service Career: Joined the IAS in 1978, serving in top positions, including Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala
Cultural Contributions: A poet, lyricist, translator, and scriptwriter, Jayakumar has authored over 47 books, including celebrated Malayalam translations of Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet
Awards: Recipient of the Central Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award, and the Asan Poetry Prize
An Appointment with Deeper Significance
The selection of K. Jayakumar is widely viewed as a balancing act — an effort by the CPM government to inject administrative credibility and cultural sensitivity into the management of Sabarimala, one of South India’s most revered and sensitive pilgrimage centers.
With his proven record of integrity, literary stature, and deep institutional knowledge, Jayakumar is seen as the ideal bridge between bureaucratic order and spiritual stewardship, capable of restoring dignity and trust to the Devaswom administration at a crucial juncture.
