What Is Koodalmanikyam Temple Row Is About?
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Minister for Devaswom V. N. Vasavan on Wednesday (March 12) told the Assembly that they are investigating allegation of caste discrimination at the Koodalmanikyam Temple in Thrissur district, and added that caste-based job denial at the temple is a disgrace to Kerala’s cultural society.
The row erupted after B. A. Balu, an Ezhava community member was shifted from ‘kazhakam’ duties – a person who helps the priests in rituals – in the temple following objection from the ‘tanthris’ (chief priests). The collective’s protest to his presence in the temple precincts traced back to his caste origins sparked controversy. The tanthris lodged a complaint with the Kerala Devaswom Board (KDB), who appointed Balu through Recruitment Board’s selection process, stating that they would abstain from performing their ‘tantri’ responsibilities if latter was allowed to work.
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As the issue has escalated, the board authorities have temporarily shifted Balu to office duties. If Balu was allowed to join, as per the reports, he would have been the first ‘kazhakam’ from the backward community in the history of the Koodalmanikyam Temple.
Meanwhile, Minister said that neither the KDB chairperson nor the Board were aware of the administrator’s illegal order transferring Balu. As per Section 4 of the Koodalmanickam Devaswom Employees Regulations 2003, the temple has two non-ritual Kazhakam posts; the hereditary post, appointed by the ‘tantris’, and the direct recruitment, one filled by the Board. Vasavan underlined that the the direct recruitment was made by following due process and it must be honoured. He added that the collective of the chief priests had not filled the ‘hereditary kazhagam post and rotated temporary employees on daily wages.
Responses and Reactions
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has taken suo moto case over the matter. Commission member V Geetha has instructed the Cochin Devaswom Commissioner and Koodalmanikyam Executive Officer to submit a report within two weeks.
Devaswom chairman C. K. Gopi stated that tantris has no authority over the recruitment decisions made by the Board, if they have any reservations, they may adopt legal recourse to it. He added that the DMC had already conveyed the same in a written reply to the memorandum submitted by ‘tanthri’ collective. Adding further, Gopi said that the Board had to surrender to chief priests’ “non-cooperation” threats since ‘prathishta dinam’ (consecration day) rituals, which falls on March 9, should not be affected. “If the administrator had not done it, the deity installation ceremony on March 9 would not have perhaps taken place,” Gopi told Onmanorama. It was at this crucial point, the administrator, using her discretionary power, temporarily shifted Balu to office duties. Devaswom Managing Committee (DMC), which meets on Wednesday is likely to bring back Balu to the ‘kazhakam’ position.
However, as per the latest update, Balu told the media that he is not wishing to rejoin the temple to perform ‘kazhakam’ duties. The approach of the priests has pained him, he said. “I don’t want to create any issues at the temple when the festival is approaching. My family is also of the same view. I have given a letter to the temple administrator saying that I don’t want the post of ‘kazhakam’. I am ready to do the office job at the temple,” Indian Express quotes, as Balu is saying.
Balu, hailing from Aryanad in Thiruvananthapuram joined for the ‘kazhakam’ duties on February 24. He has attained first rank in a recruitment exam.
When the controversy surfaced, the leaders belonging to the Tantri Samajam and the Warrier community has dismissed allegations of caste discrimination.
Akhila Kerala Tantri Samajam general secretary Jayanarayanan Namboothiripad said the incident should not be looked upon as instance of caste discrimination. Traditionally, members of a particular family performed the ‘kazhakam duties’ at the temple and they have approaches the court to carry on with the tradition and keep their jobs. The Tantris group have communicated the matter to the Board authorities, he added.
Samastha Kerala Warrier Samajam president P. K. Mohandas stated that they have no opposition for an Ezhava community member to perform the duties, but expressed concern over those currently engaged with such responsibilities were devoid of jobs, affecting their livelihood.
The Thantri families has also argued that the appointment was made by subverting the norms of the Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Act. They accused that people with vested interests have turned this incident into a case of caste discrimination.
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Political Reactions
Several political leaders have strongly condemned the action of the ‘tantri’ group and Devaswom Board’s subsequent decision. In strong words, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal condemned the Board’s decision to reassign duties to Balu due to his caste. “You [Devaswom Board] have betrayed the Kerala society who claims to have been plowed through renaissance ideas for one day. Self-examination should be conducted as to how much honorable the decision you took to keep away the man who came to do a deserved job on the basis of merit is for Kerala,” Congress leader said in a facebook post.
Similarly, senior CPI(M) leader and former Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan said that the incident is an act of caste discrimination. It is an attempt is being made to reinstall the “Manusmriti ideology”, he added. Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice R. Bindu forcing a person to step away from a job based on caste is not acceptable in modern society and in a secular democratic country.
SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan demanded the government to take a solid stand against those those who approve the regressive belief that temple authority solely resides with the ‘tantris’.
