Kerala's 2025: A Year of Shifts, Shocks, and Surprises

Kerala faced a whirlwind of changes in 2025, from legal dramas to environmental scares and political ups and downs. The year started with a bang when the Kerala High Court revealed that gold had gone missing from the sacred Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala, a major pilgrimage site. This news hit hard for millions of Ayyappa devotees, sparking outrage and doubts about temple security. In the political arena, the Congress-led UDF gained ground in local body polls, while the BJP made history by winning control of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation after decades of Left dominance. The LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, admitted their setbacks but vowed to regroup ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The year also saw a major turning point in the 2017 actress sexual assault case. Actor Dileep and three others were acquitted, but six others were convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The verdict left many divided, with the state government planning to appeal the decision.Environmental concerns took center stage twice in 2025. In May, the cargo vessel MSC ELSA-3 sank off Alappuzha, causing an oil spill and littering beaches with plastic pellets. Then, in June, a Singapore-flagged container ship caught fire near the Kerala coast, raising fears of another disaster. Kerala said goodbye to two legendary figures in 2025. Former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan passed away at 101, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and advocacy for social justice. The state also mourned the loss of cultural icon Sreenivasan, known for his sharp satire and social commentary. On a brighter note, superstar Mohanlal received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023, adding to Kerala's cinematic pride. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijayan declared Kerala free of extreme poverty, a claim celebrated by supporters but met with skepticism by critics.