TDB to hear out priest Monday

ALAPPUZHA: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Wednesday decided to hear out Sudhikumar, the priest in the caste discrimination row, on Monday. The board is expected to seek "his wish" on his shelved appointment as ‘Keezhshaanthi’ (assistant priest) at Chettikulangara temple.

But it did not discuss action against commissioner C. P. Ramaraja Prema Prasad who served an order found illegal by law secretary B.G. Hareendranath.

TDB president Prayar Gopalakrishnan said Monday's decision would let nobody down. "I can’t say if he would be appointed at Chettikulangara temple. But I can say the decision on Monday would make everybody happy," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, he had told DC that Wednesday's meeting in the state capital would decide on the non-Brahmin priest's appointment.

The issue came on its agenda after law secretary advised the government that the TDB stalling his appointment violated Supreme Court rulings and Constitutional values. 

He had also asked the government to file a contempt of court against officials responsible for issuing such "a regressive" order. Following this, Devaswom secretary K. R. Jyothilal served a notice on Mr Prasad to effect his transfer order at the earliest.

TDB member Ajay Tharayil said Mr Sudhikumar should know that it was a “charity” of TDB. 

"He is still unwilling to file a fresh appeal. We decided to hear him out only because the matter turned out to be a social issue,” he said.

“Not because of the SC order. He can go to the minister’s office and media houses with complaints, but not the board? By the way, we want to know whether he was willing to be appointed as ‘Keezhsaanthi’ to Chettikulangara temple."

K. Raghavan, the only CPM member on the board, said if he were interested, nothing would stop him. Responding to DC, Mr Sudhikumar said he would attend the hearing if TDB asks him. 

"I am happy to serve as Keezhsaanthi of Chettikulangara temple, and I will speak my mind before the board," he said.