Human rights commission takes suo moto case over caste discrimination in Koodalmanikyam Temple

THRISSUR: The Human Rights Commission has registered a suo moto case in connection with the caste discrimination at Koodalmanikyam Temple and ordered an investigation. Commission member V Geetha has demanded the Cochin Devaswom Commissioner and Koodalmanikyam executive officer to conduct an investigation and submit a report within two weeks. The commission registered a case based on media reports in which a member of the backward community, who had passed the examination conducted by the Devaswom Recruitment Board and appointed to the Kazhakam post, was removed from his job following protests by the tantris.

B V Balu, a member of the Ezhava community appointed as Kazhakam employee at the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple on February 24, faced caste discrimination. Balu was shifted to office job. This was following the opposition of the tantris and the Warrier Samajam. Since then, six members of the tantri family of Irinjalakuda had stayed away from the rituals of the temple.

Meantime, Ezhava Munnetta Samithi state committee meeting demanded action against the tantris of the Koodalmanikyam temple for excommunicating the Ezhava community member appointed via devaswom board. The approach of treating the Ezhavas, who constitute 28 percent of the community, as slaves even today without realizing that times have changed is unacceptable. Despite the progressive ideology and secularism, the minds of many are still centuries behind. The state committee meeting said that such absurdities will not be accepted and that will fight strongly against inequalities.