ALAPPUZHA: The state government has sought a legal opinion from the law secretary on the alleged caste discrimination by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).
Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran said the government had also sought an explanation from the TDB on cancellation of the transfer of a non-Brahmin priest to Chettikulangara temple following local opposition.
"We still hope the TDB would change its decision considering the 2002 Supreme Court verdict," he told DC.
"The government had in 2014 directed in 2014 all deputy commissioners under TDB as per the apex court order that caste should not be a criterion for priests at temples. If they do not comply, there will be legal repercussions."
The minister replying to a submission by Kayamkulam legislator U. Prathibha Hari in the Assembly on Wednesday had said the government was taking it seriously and that it was an attempt to bring back a social evil like untouchability that Kerala had eradicated in the guise of temple customs.
"After getting the legal opinion, we will take further action," Devaswom secretary K. R. Jyothilal told DC.
But Devaswom commissioner C. P. Ramaraja Prema Prasad is reluctant to follow the government line and insists that the TDB action was legally binding.
He claimed that after 2002 the SC had changed the position that the decision on appointing priest can be taken based on the temple customs, but could not cite the year and date of such order.
He went on arguing that the Chettikulangara custom developed in fifty years and no non-Brahmin priest was there. They believe the appointment non-Brahmin priest would invite the wrath of the deity.
