Caste discrimination at Koodalmanikyam temple: Kerala govt stands firm on appointment, state Human Rights Commission registers case

Thiruvananthapuram native Balu B A, who was appointed by the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) as 'Kazhakam' at the Koodalmanikyam temple situated at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, faced discrimination as Tantris kept off from poojas.

Thiruvananthapuram: Strongly condemning the discrimination at the Sree Koodalmanikyam temple in Thrissur district of Kerala, state Devaswom minister V N Vasavan has said that the OBC community member will be deputed as the 'Kazhakam' post of the temple.

Vasavan said in the Assembly that it was unbecoming for the Tantris from the upper caste to show discrimination towards a member from the Hindu-Ezhava OBC community who was appointed to the 'Kazhakam' post, which involved work like garland making. The discrimination won't be allowed, he said.

Thiruvananthapuram native Balu B A, who was appointed by the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) to the 'Kazhakam' post, faced discrimination as Tantris kept off from poojas. Subsequently, he was temporarily assigned office duty and a worker from the upper caste given the charges of 'Kazhakam'.

Kerala minister for welfare of backward classes O R Kelu and AICC general secretary and Kerala MP K C Venugopal also strongly condemned the discrimination. 

"The discrimination shown by the tantris towards a member of the Hindu Ezhava OBC community was against the stands of secular state like Kerala. Such stands would only help communal forces," the minister said.

Venugopal said in a strongly worded social media post that those who were still bearing casteism in their minds were a shame for the progressive traditions of Kerala. He also recollected the efforts of social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru in eradicating untouchability and casteism from the state.

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission member V Geetha  suo motto registered a case and sought reports from the Devaswom authorities within two weeks.