Row over discrimination at Kerala temple thickens with fresh allegation of 'upper caste appointments'

Thiruvananthapuram: Despite the Kerala government's warning that discrimination won't be allowed at a temple where upper caste members opposed the posting of a lower caste member to a temple job, the temple is allegedly continuing with the 'practise'.

The Sree Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur is facing fresh discrimination allegations.

A member from the upper caste was allegedly appointed on a temporary basis for performing the job of 'Kazhakam' (garland making and associated works) even as the appointment of a candidate from the lower caste challenged by a section of upper caste members associated with the temple is pending before the court.

The temple management is, however, denying the reports that a member from the upper caste from the rank list of the 'Kazhakam' post was appointed on temporary basis. Asocial worker pursuing the matter had moved a contempt of court petition citing the temporary posting of the upper caste member violating the directive to maintain status quo. Pictures of the upper caste member performing the job at the temple is also doing the rounds.

Sree Koodalmanikyam Devaswaom chairman C K Gopi told DH that no such appointment was done. "Devotees used to perform jobs on a voluntary basis at the temple. Devaswom could not prevent it. The said candidate could be one such devotee," he said.

However, social worker Gargyan Sudheeran, who moved the contempt petition, said that the Devaswom could be denying the temporary appointment of the upper caste member owing to the contempt proceedings.

The row had erupted earlier this year as the Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board (KDRB) recruited Thiruvananthapuram native Balu B A, who is from the Hindu-Ezhava OBC community, to the 'Kazhakam' post. Protesting against the appointment the temple tantris from the upper caste community kept off from performing poojas for several days. They insisted that only members of upper caste communities like Varrier should be appointed as 'Kazhakam'.

As the issue became controversial, State Devaswom Minister V N Vasan said in the assembly that no discrimination would be allowed.

However, Balu tendered resignation citing personal reasons, which was believed to be due to the discrimination he faced.

The next person appointed from the rank list also happened to be from the Ezhava community - K S Anurag. Subsequently, a section of members of the upper caste approached the court citing that the 'Kazhakam' job is traditionally performed by the upper caste Varrier community members. The matter is pending before court over the last several months and Anurag's fate continues to hang in balance.

Sudheeran said that the sincerity of the government's stand against discrimination needs to be suspected as a police petition filed against the tantris for the discrimination towards the member from the OBC community continues to gather dust even after months.