Caste discrimination in Govt. controlled temples in Kerala

Kochi: Hindu Aikya Vedia has petitioned the state government of Kerala to take stringent action against Kochi Devaswom Board for making discriminations on the basis of caste and denying job opportunities on the same lines. Aikya Vedi state general secretary RV Babu has alleged that the stand taken by Kochi Devaswom Board is that which polarizes Hindu society on the lines of caste discrimination.

“A person was denied the post of percussionist in Guruvayur Temple solely on the basis of caste. So also, a person was denied permission to stage a Kathakali rendition on the life of Sree Narayana Guru, in Triprayar Temple, only on the basis of caste. However, it is being alleged that caste based organizations are behind this. But the real truth is that Devaswom Board is being controlled and dictated wholly by political parties who clsims themselves as progressive. This is sheer hypocrisy said Babu, adding that a law should come into force where reservation should be granted for those sections working in temples over generations and the rest given towards those belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Seeking immediate reinstating of those denied job on the basis of caste discrimination, Babu said, “The Hindu community has been such that they have never shown hesitation in adapting to changes in their customs and traditions, with the passage of time. But now, bringing in caste discrimination to the same land where it was declared that Brahmanism could be attained by one’s Karma, through the historical Paliyam Proclamation, is undoubtedly to polarize Hindu society.”

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