Thiruvananthapuram: The public and organisations will no longer be allowed to offer floral tributes or garland the life-size statue of Veluthampi Dalawa in front of the Kerala State Secretariat. The Public Administration Department, under the Chief Minister's office, has issued a directive imposing a ban on such activities. Security personnel have been instructed to prevent anyone from approaching the statue to pay respects or offer tributes.

Velayudhan Chempakaraman Thampi, popularly known as Veluthampi Dalawa, served as the Dalawa (Prime Minister) of the erstwhile Travancore state from 1802 to 1807. Revered for his valiant resistance against British colonial forces, he chose to end his life rather than surrender to the enemy. A statue was installed in front of the Secretariat in his honour.

Every year, on May 6 (Veluthampi Dalawa's birth anniversary) and January 11 (the anniversary of the historic Kundara Proclamation, a declaration calling for a rebellion against the British East India Company), several cultural organisations, trusts, and individuals would gather at the statue to offer floral tributes.

However, the Public Administration Department now assesses that the entry of outsiders into the Secretariat premises affects the daily functioning of the establishment. As a result, the department has decided to prohibit all such visits, including tributes on special commemorative days. Instead, floral tributes or garlanding of the statue will be carried out by a minister or the Chief Secretary on behalf of the government.

The statue of Veluthampi Dalawa is the only one located within the Secretariat compound. So far, there have been no reported security concerns related to individuals visiting the statue to pay tributes.

Security at the Secretariat has been significantly enhanced since the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power. After the second Pinarayi administration assumed office, even accredited journalists have been barred from freely entering the Secretariat. Visitors seeking appointments with ministers or officials are now required to have a recommendation issued from within the Secretariat and approved at the main gate.