Spirit of Paliyam proclamation missing

ALAPPUZHA: The controversy over the appointment of a non-Brahmin priest in the Chettikulangara temple has brought to focus the historic Paliyam proclamation made  on October 6,1985, which has been called the  second temple entry proclamation.  The intention was to accommodate all as priests on the basis of Karma (qualification) and not Varna (caste). The proclamation came at a meeting held  at Chennamangalam palace in the presence of Alanchery Thamprakkal and members of seven seniormost families which had say over the Brahmin community in the state. The driving force behind the proclamation was P. Madhavji, an RSS ideologue.

The participants said in a statement: “It’s agreed  that liberation from  birth-based Brahmanyam is important to ensure and take  forward a social life based on Hindu religion in Kerala. So it’s proclaimed that those who earned Brahmanyam irrespective of castes are eligible to participate in the temple affairs,  including pujas. All Hindus can  embrace ‘Shodasa Samskara’ and one can be trained in priestly duties on post-Samavarthana ritual in terms of “Ashwalaayana grihya sootram” However, there are still thantris  who are averse to such progressive ideas.  

Azhakath Sastrasarman Namboodiripad, president, Tantra Vidhyapeedom,  and disciple of P. Madhavji says that non- Brahmins were taught tantra-sasthra and many were selected by the TDB. “I don’t think any Brahmin would want to implement the proclamation   because priesthood  is a privilege they have enjoyed over centuries and  it is their livelihood.   No non- Brahmin is allowed to perform pujas in  Guruvayoor temple or Sabarimala.  A toddy tapper’s son cannot be a priest overnight. If an Ezhava man becomes a priest, the Nairs will not  visit the temple. We need a new culture and there should not be caste barriers.  In many places, local RSS men support this,” he says.

Madhvaji had never worn the sacred thread. He spent his life for reforming the priestly duties monopolised by Brahmins,  he says. Mr T.G. Mohandas, convenor of the BJP  intellectual cell,  said  the Paliyam proclamation had led to the acceptance of non-Brahmin priests in the temples.  The spirit of  the proclamation failed in certain pockets such us Chettikulangara, Guruvayoor and Sabarimala.  “Its spirit  can be adopted only by understanding social reality. I don’t think Brahmins themselves will take the initiative to promote the message  because priesthood is their source of income.  The Sangh Parivar wants reforms  by propagating the spirit of the  proclamation,” he says.