K Radhakrishnan alleged that priests, instead of giving the light to him, placed the small lamp on the ground, thinking that he would take it.
Published Sep 20, 2023 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 20, 2023 | 4:11 PM
Kerala Minister K Radhakrishnan. (Supplied)
Akhila Kerala Thanthri Samajam, an organisation of traditional high priests, said, on Wednesday, 20 September, that the alleged untouchability incident against Kerala Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan was a “misunderstanding” of the rituals and that no individual was discriminated against in the temple.
The state committee of the Akhila Kerala Thanthri Samajam explained that the priests who perform the “deva pujas” do not touch anyone, be it Brahmin or non-Brahmin, till it is over.
It wondered if there was any “ill intention” in stoking a controversy out of an issue that it claimed “technically ended eight months ago” and alleged that “an innocent act” was being used to create communal polarisation.
The Samajam is an association of traditional high priests who are the authority on the rites and rituals practised in most of Kerala’s shrines.
In the incident in question, the “melshanti” (chief priest) — who was performing a puja — was asked at the last moment to come and light the lamp as the temple thanthri (traditional high priest) was absent.
Via a Facebook post, the priests’ association said that after lighting the lamp, he went back to complete the puja and the same was misunderstood as untouchability by the minister and he expressed his displeasure on the spot.
The organisation said that in Kerala’s culture, cleanliness observed in temples was purely spiritual and claimed it was not caste-based discrimination.
It said that a serious case had been lodged against the two priests, who were working in a temple under the Malabar Devaswom Board, merely on the basis of their caste. It further claimed that ignoring the reality, some people were insulting that the temple’s melshanti and his community, based on the minister’s statement.
“Such people are trying to misinterpret an innocent act and create communal tension in the society. This can only be considered as a move for creating communal polarisation, by claiming the presence of untouchability in Kerala,” it contended in the post.
The priests urged devotees not to get involved in such “malicious” controversies aimed at disrupting the communal harmony in the society.
On Tuesday evening, the CPI(M) state secretariat condemned the incident and said that it was shameful for Kerala.
The Left party said that, at one time, caste-based oppression, including untouchability, was prevalent in Kerala, but it disappeared over time due to the renaissance, nationalist, and communist movements.
It also said social inequities that arose due to historical reasons are still prevalent and the government was working to find a solution for them.
The CPI(M) urged people to be vigilant against such practices and eradicate them.
K Radhakrishnan, who hails from the Scheduled Caste community, had, on Monday, said that two priests of a temple refused to hand over the small lamp they had brought to light the main lamp placed at the venue to mark the inauguration at the shrine.
Instead, they lit the main lamp themselves and, after that, placed the small lamp on the ground, thinking that the minister would take it, he had alleged.
Though the minister didn’t reveal the name of the shrine, news channels aired the visuals of the recent inauguration of “nadapandal” at a temple in Payyanur in Kannur district, in which the minister participated.
It could be seen in the visuals that the priests were not handing over the small lamp to the minister and instead placed it on the ground.
Radhakrishnan later said that the caste system was a “stain” in the minds of certain people and it was not easy to remove it instantly.
The state Devaswom Minister had clarified that he did not intend to turn the incident into a controversy and just tried to sensitise people about the social evil.
When contacted by South First, Radhakrishnan said that he spoke of the issue so that he may change the perspective of people rather than create a controversy. He also advised those who followed him not to protest against the temple authorities.
When asked why such episodes were happening in progressive Kerala and that too against a senior minister who handles temple affairs, Radhakrishnan claimed that the state had achieved a significant victory in eliminating caste-based discrimination compared to many others.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the alleged caste discrimination faced by his Cabinet colleague and said that follow-up action on the matter would be taken after discussing it with him.
Vijayan had termed Radhakrishnan’s disclosure as “shocking”.
Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan had sought stringent action against the priests who allegedly discriminated against the minister.
The Congress leader said that if anyone is trying to bring back untouchability, even after 100 years of the Vaikom Satyagraha, it has to be taken very seriously. He urged the government to take stringent action against the people concerned.
Terming the incident as “shocking and unfortunate”, Satheeshan also asked why the minister had hid this fact for so long.
Radhakrishnan, a member of the central committee of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), is the Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes and Devaswoms.
He represents the Chelakkara constituency of Thrissur district.
(With PTI inputs)
