Change is Finally Here, MK Stalin on Women Priests in TN Temples

Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin exulted over the news of three women, Ranjitha, Krishnaveni and Ramya, breaking the gender and caste barriers and qualifying to become temple priests by completing the one year course offered at the State government-run ‘Archakar Payirchi Palli’ (School for Priests’ Training)  in Sri Rangam.

‘Despite women’s achievements as pilots and astronauts, they were barred from the sacred role of temple priests, deemed impure, even in the temples of female deities. But change is finally here,’ Stalin said in a social media post on X on Thursday, congratulating the three women.

The Dravidian Model Government in Tamil Nadu had removed the thorn from the heart of Thanthai Periyar by appointing people of all castes as priests, he said in the message, referring to M Karunanidhi’s remark that Periyar's last wish - to see people of other communities being ordained as priests - was not fulfilled and that amounted to burying him with a thorn in the heart.

Karunanidhi later said in 2006 that the thorn had been removed when he passed a government order providing for people of other communities to become priests, which led to the starting of the priests training programme. Though those who qualified could not find proper employment initially, it changed with the appointment of a few qualified Non-Brahmins as priests.

‘Women are also now stepping into the sanctums, bringing a new era of inclusivity and equality,’ said Stalin’s message.

This is the first time women have passed out of the school. Ranjitha, Krishnaveni and Ramya will undergo training in temples before being assigned jobs relating to priestly duties.