THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has never witnessed a public outcry over non-Hindus worshipping at Sabarimala because the hill shrine has a secular tradition. However, Travancore Devaswom Board member Ajay Tharayil has flagged the issue, saying a 1952 law bars non-Hindus.
Though it is not clear as to why the Congress leader came out with a controversial post at this juncture, sources reveal he was keen to trigger a debate on this issue when the board meeting is on the anvil. “Many non-Hindus believing in the temple and idol worship knowingly and unknowingly enter the temple and worship. In such situations, there is no importance for TDB’s decision of not allowing them to enter the temples. I hope board president and other members would support my stand,” his post read.
He also opined that giving a declaration by a person that he believes in Hinduism is an indirect religious conversion. “It is not the responsibility of the board to encourage conversion. The board should issue a new order after amending the one issued in 1952,” he added.
Rahul Easwar, the social activist, eulogised the two Congress leaders on their “revolutionary comments.”
“These two leaders are following the same path of Mannath Padmanabhan and R. Sankar,” he said.
