Clash over caste: Travancore Devaswom Board officer faces criminal charges

Alappuzha: The government will  slap criminal charges against devaswom commissioner C.P. Rama Raja Prema Prasad for shelving the posting of Mr Sudhikumar, a non-Brahmin priest, as ‘Keezhsaanthi’ (assistant priest) of Chettikulangara temple. Mr Prasad may be slapped with charges under the under Criminal Procedure Code  for violating Article 17 which promises to abolish "untouchability.”   Law secretary B.G. Hareendranath  had opined that the commissioner had violated the Supreme Court orders and constitutional values. The Travancore Devaswom Board  meeting held on Wednesday did not  discuss the matter.

Sources said the file seeking further proceedings in this regard  is  with the home department.  Mr Prasad had stopped the  order transferring Mr Sidhikumar to the Chettikulangara temple considering thantri Plakkudy Unnikrishan Namboodiri’s views Mr Prasad’s order came even as the  Constitution bars any discrimination against  a citizen on grounds of race, gender, caste and religion. The law secretary had suggested on September 2 to slap  contempt of court case against the officials responsible for preventing the transfer of the priest. Last week,  devaswom secretary K.R. Jyothilal had served a showcause notice to the commissioner directing him to effect the transfer.  

However, the commissioner  told the board meeting that the government had no authority to take action against him as he had issued the order under  the spirit of the law.   Mr Prasad had served as law secretary from July 21, 2011 to February 28, 2015. The TDB will allow  Mr Sudhikumar  to present his views on Monday and try to find an amicable solution.