Priesthood issue: Different organizations question NSS

Kochi, Jan 05

Different organisations have come out against the NSS resolution demanding that non-Brahmins should be appointed priests in the Devaswom Board temples.

The BJP spokesman, Mr B.K.Sheker, said that the NSS had raised the issue at the wrong time, as the country had been faced with serious problems such as terrorists attacks and anarchy. This would only help divert the attention of the people besides weakening the unity, which is the need of the hour.

Recalling the famous “Paliyam Declaration” in 1985 at Chendamangalm where many reputed “thantris”, who were the authorities to talk about the temple rituals and functions, had accepted the declaration that all the Hindus could perform poojas in the temples, he said that even Social reformers like Mannath Padmanabhan had started demanding such reforms from about 70 years ago.

In an era where caste discrimination is fast disappearing, raising of such controversies will be suicidal,he warned. 

Meanwhile, the Hindu Nadar Samajam has asked the NSS to re-examine its stand on the issue. Its central committee meeting has said that the latest resolution of the NSS was totally against the ideals of Mannath Padmanabhan.

Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samithi, Vice President, Mr P N Gopalakrishnan said that the qualification to become a priest is the knowledge in ”thantra-shastra vidhi” and the individual’s religious life. He said that temples are neither mere place of employment nor the “thantric discipline” is a profession