Koodalmanikyam Temple: Tantris move Supreme Court against Ezhava candidate's appointment as Kazhakam

NEW DELHI: Tantris have approached the Supreme Court against the appointment of KS Anurag, a member of the Ezhava community, as the kazhakam of the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple. They are questioning the High Court order in favour of Anurag. The argument is that the kazhakam of the Koodalmanikyam temple is traditional and spiritual. It was also pointed out that the right to the traditional kazhakam belongs to the Thekke Variyam family. The High Court had taken the stand that whether the Kazhakam is traditional or not is a matter for the civil court to decide. The High Court also did not interfere in the appointment process from the rank list prepared by the Devaswom Recruitment Board. This is also questioned in the petition.
The Tantris had launched a temple boycott movement when BA Balu, a member of the Ezhava community, who was the first name on the rank list, joined the job in February 2025. Kerala Kaumudi had revealed details, including Balu's transfer to an office job. Anurag was appointed to fill the vacancy created by Balu's resignation on April 1.

Notice on appointment of Santhi
The Supreme Court has ordered notice on the petitions filed regarding the appointment of part-time Santhi in temples under the Travancore Devaswom Board. The petitions are against the Kerala High Court verdict that those with certificates from Tantra Vidyalayas approved by the Devaswom Board can be appointed as Santhi. The petitioners are Akhila Kerala Tantri Samajam and Agnisarman Vasudevan Bhattathirippad. The opposing parties, including the state government, Travancore Devaswom Board and Devaswom Recruitment Board, should file an affidavit within four weeks. A bench of Justices Vikramnath and Sandeep Mehta considered the petitions. The court observed that the appointments will be subject to the final decision in the petition.

The petitioners are questioning the Devaswom Recruitment Board notification of 2023. The argument is that the board does not have the expertise or authority to evaluate and approve tantric education. Those who have studied under those who traditionally hold the position of tantri should be appointed as santhis. The petition also demanded that only the certificate issued by the tantris should be considered as an approved document.