Anurag to be Kazhakam staff at Koodalmanikyam Temple; HC gives green signal for appointment

KOCHI: The High Court removed all obstructions in the appointment of Cherthala native K.S. Anurag, a member of the Ezhava community, to the post of kazhakam in Koodalmanikyam Temple. Anurag, who received the advice memo, is awaiting the appointment.

The court asked Koodalamanikyam Devaswom to continue with the appointment process. Devaswom Standing Consul Adv. N.N. Sugunapalan advised the board on Friday to issue the appointment order immediately. Meanwhile, the division bench comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice S. Murali Krishna clarified that the appointment will be subject to the decision of the civil court, and any objections over the appointment should be raised there.

Thekkevaryam T.V. Harikrishnan and others approached the High Court, arguing that the appointment for the post of kazhakam in the temple was a hereditary right.

The court said that it would not go into the extensive legal aspects of the issue. The main issue to be decided is whether Kazhakam is a ritual act or not. If it is a ritual, the Devaswom Act has made it clear that the appointment should be made by a committee including the temple Thantri. The Supreme Court has also made it clear that the Thantri has the final say in temple rituals and spiritual matters. It is for the civil court to decide the role of Kazhakam based on the evidence. The court did not interfere in the appointment process from the rank list.

Six thantris associated with the temple and Anurag were party to the case. Adv. N.N. Sugunapalan appeared for the Koodalmanikyam Devaswom and Adv. Ranjith Thampan appeared for Anurag.

The Koodalmanikyam Devaswom Governing Body is holding an internal meeting on Saturday at 10 am to discuss the High Court verdict. It is being reported that, despite objections, Anurag will soon be appointed. The Devaswom meeting to be held on Saturday will take an appropriate decision on the matter of Anurag's appointment.

Anurag is being considered for the vacancy left by B.A. Balu, who came first on the rank list. When Balu, a member of the Ezhava community, joined the job on February 24, the Thantris staged a temple boycott. Balu was then transferred to an office job. The issue became a controversy after Kerala Kaumudi brought the news to light. Balu submitted his resignation on April 1.