Daughter marries outside caste, father loses temple job; trust cites disciplinary violations

KANNUR: A temple worker at Sree Muchilottukavu in Karivellur has alleged that he was removed from service because his daughter married a man from another caste. The temple trust, however, has cited disciplinary violations and alleged misbehaviour towards committee members as the reason for the action. C.V. Rajan, an upakarmi who says he has worked at the temple for 17 years, has approached the Human Rights Commission and the Malabar Devaswom Board over his removal.

According to Rajan, his daughter, who belongs to the Vaniya community, married on March 15. The groom belongs to the Pothuval community. Rajan alleges that although the temple's ritual performers and committee members had accepted him at a general body meeting held four months earlier, he was removed after a new committee took charge.

Rajan has maintained that his daughter's inter-caste marriage was the reason for his removal. In a complaint submitted to Payyannur MLA V. Kunhikrishnan, he said he had been working as a permanent employee at Sree Muchilottukavu, under the Malabar Devaswom Board, for 17 years.

“I have been removed from service for about a month because my daughter married outside the caste,” Rajan said in the complaint. He also said he had already approached the Human Rights Commission and requested the MLA to intervene in the matter.

The temple trust has rejected the allegation that the action was connected to Rajan's daughter's marriage and has cited disciplinary issues.

In a letter issued to Rajan, the trust alleged that he had behaved disrespectfully towards committee members and had violated discipline. It said he had violated the customs and traditions followed at the temple for centuries and had failed to maintain the required discipline while behaving improperly towards ritual performers and devotees.

The trust said Rajan had been kept away from duty until April 1 during the Poorotsavam season over the alleged violations. It subsequently suspended him pending an inquiry after finding his explanation unsatisfactory, according to the order. The trust also said a detailed charge sheet would be issued later.

The matter has reached the Malabar Devaswom Board, where Rajan's complaint is being considered. The board is examining whether the prescribed procedure was properly followed in removing him from service.

The temple maintains that only those who follow the community's established customs are eligible to perform pooja-related duties and rituals.

Rajan, however, said he was ready to leave the post if there was evidence of any wrongdoing on his part.

“If there is any fault in my conduct, I am ready to leave the post if evidence is produced,” he said. “How can a father be removed because his daughter married outside the caste?”

Rajan also alleged that the disciplinary accusations were being raised because the issue of his daughter's marriage was likely to come up for public discussion. He repeated the allegation in his complaint to MLA V. Kunhikrishnan.

The dispute over Rajan's removal is now before the concerned authorities, with the Devaswom Board examining the procedure followed in the action against him.