Eating biriyani at Mathilakam office of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple; driver asked to stay away from duties

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An employee has been asked to stay away from duties pending investigation after a complaint of him of eating chicken biryani at the Mathilakam office outside the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple was received. The accused driver was asked to stay away from duties. Tantri Tharananellur Namboothiripad and Kowdiar Palace authorities have expressed displeasure in this regard.

It was alleged that an employee of the post of driver ate chicken biryani with other employees on Saturday afternoon. The unclear video footage of this was circulated on social media. At first, the allegations were centred on key officials. The investigation reached the employee later. It was alleged that chicken biryani was served at a party related to the son of an office employee getting a job.
Earlier, a separate place was allotted to the employees of the temple office for dining. There is a CCTV camera here. Eating non-vegetarian food in this room was common. This practice was questioned by the new governing body and officials including the executive officer. However, there was no restriction as it did not rise to the level of a complaint.

The Tantri had instructed that non-vegetarian food should not be consumed in any place related to the temple. Officials had informed that the governing body will discuss and decide the measures in this regard. The District Committee of Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanded action in the incident of eating meat in the office of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.