Debate has resurfaced in Kerala over whether non-Hindus who believe in Hindu faith should be allowed to offer worship at Hindu temples with an important temple personality supporting the idea of allowing non-Hindus at the famous Guruvayur temple and major political parties like the CPI(M), CPI and Congress joining the campaign for bringing in changes to the ritual systems at Hindu shrines.
While the CPI(M) said that the lDF Government led by it would take steps to find a consensus among all stakeholders, its coalition partner CPI opined that all non-Hindus who believed in Hindu faith should be allowed to worship at temples even as the Congress assured its own support and that of the UDF it is leading to the suggestion.
The debate triggered early last month by a senior Congress leader has now been rekindled with a statement by Chennas Dinesan Namboothirippad on Monday, traditional chief priest (Tantri) of the famous lord Krishna temple at Guruvayur, Thrissur, that the Government should take the lead in the issue relating to permitting non-Hindus to enter the Guruvayur shrine.
“like in the case of Guruvayur temple, every Hindu shrine has its distinct ritual system. The Tantri does not have the authority to change it. Customs come into being as per the peculiarities of times. It is up to the Government to take the initiative for discussions in the matter. If the Government is prepared for that the Tantri family would cooperate with it,” he said.
Dinesan Namboothirippad told the media that rules should be formulated in this regard through discussions with the Tantris, religious scholars and other concerned sections. Several Hindu outfits also support the proposal but some of them are apprehensive of the possibility of temples turning into centres of cultural tourism in the absence of proper caution.
However, differences cropped up in the five-member Chennas Tantri family, traditional chief priests of the Guruvayur temple, over the issue. Chennas Narayanan Namboothirippad, senior Tantri, and three others of the family said that Dinesan Namboothirippad was airing his personal opinion and that lord Krishna’s devotees could view the proposal only with anxiety.
“We welcome the position taken by the Tantri. Only in Kerala will we Brahmins themselves supporting appointments of non-Brahmins for temple duties. It is a sign of the fading of borders among castes. The lDF Government will take the initiative for finding a consensus on this,” said State CPI(M) secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
Stating that the Government welcomed the Tantri’s suggestion, CPI(M)’s Minister for Devaswom (temple affairs) Kadakampally Surendran said, “His opinion indicates that change is occurring in accordance with the times. The Government is of the view that all those who believe (in Hindu faith) should be allowed entry into temples. Discussions can be held on this.”
Offering support of the Congress and the Opposition UDF it is leading, Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition leader in the Assembly, said, “There should be broad discussions among Tantris, political parties, religious and community organisations and outfits of devotees to find a consensus on the matter.”
CN Jayadevan, CPI’s lok Sabha member from Thrissur constituency under which Guruvayur falls, said that all concerned parties should provide support for temple committees to take a decision to allow all non-Hindus who believe in Hindu faith to temples. “People are reluctant to speak openly on the matter due to fear about unnecessary controversies,” he said.
However, N Peethambara Kurup, chairman of the Guruvayur Devaswom which administers the lord Krishna temple, said this was not a matter to be decided unilaterally by anybody.
Kurup, also a senior Congress leader, told the media that this was also a matter of policy and the Devaswom committee would discuss it after the Government took a decision.
Debates over the matter was triggered in early September by Ajay Tharayil, a member of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), who said an amendment should be brought to a 1952 order of the board which stipulated that entry would be allowed to temples under it only to Hindus and that non-Hindus seeking entry would have to declare in writing their belief in Hindu faith.