Anurag's appointment comes in the backdrop of his predecessor, BA Balu, resigning from the post after facing caste discrimination.
Published Sep 14, 2025 | 11:07 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 14, 2025 | 11:07 AM
Irinjaladuka's Koodalmanikyam temple. Credit: koodalmanikyam.com
Synopsis: An Ezhava man has been appointed Kazhakam of Irinjalakkuda Koodalmanikyam temple after the Kerala High Court rejected objections from Thantris and traditional employees. The Devaswom Board, chaired by Advocate CK Gopi, confirmed the appointment, signed by Administrator GS Radhesh.
Anurag, a member of the Ezhava community, has been appointed as Kazhakam of Irinjalakkuda Koodalmanikyam temple in Kerala.
The appointment follows the Kerala High Court’s rejection of a petition filed by Thantris and traditional Kazhakam employees, including Thekkevariath Harikrishnan and his family, who had opposed his selection.
The temple’s governing body, chaired by Devaswom Chairman Advocate CK Gopi, unanimously decided to proceed with the appointment at its meeting held yesterday morning.
The appointment order, signed by Administrator GS Radhesh, was dispatched the same day.
Other members present included Dr Murali Haritham, Raghavan Mulangadan, Advocate KG Ajayakumar, VC Prabhakaran, and K Bindu.
Thantri representative Nedumpuli Tharananellur Govindan Namboothiripad did not attend the meeting.
The Devaswom chairman stated that the petitioners failed to substantiate their objections and that the appointment was confirmed only after the High Court’s dismissal of their case.
The Devaswom Recruitment Board had issued an advice memo to Anurag on 8 April, but the process was delayed after the court ordered status quo.
Anurag’s appointment comes in the backdrop of his predecessor, BA Balu of Nedumangad, resigning from the post after facing caste-based discrimination.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
