Action against Tantris? Caste controversy engulfs Koodalmanikyam temple

KOCHI: Brahmins are prohibited from even doing sweeping job inside the Irinjalakuda Koodalmanikyam temple. Seven of the eight permanent sweeping staff here belong to the Ambalavasi community. The eighth one, a member of the Ezhava community, is not allowed to clean the premises around the shrine. The Pisharody community holds the post of Sopanam sweeper. Sweepers from the Ezhava community can clean only the entrance leading to the shrine.

There are no Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in 37 permanent posts. Only four from the backward community are currently employed here. The member of the Ezhuthachan community here is the security, Kudmubi is an electrician, Ezhava is a sweeper and LD clerk. Two LD clerks, three peons, and one security guard are from the Nair community.

Of the 14 temporary employees in the administration department, three are scheduled castes but are given the duty of toilet cleaning, field work and driver. The rest are from Ezhava and Nair communities. There are six tantris here. Following the controversy, the management committee has sought legal advice to reduce the number to one. The Tantris are members of the Tharanallur family.

Six members of the nine-member governing committee succumbed to casteism even though they were Left Front nominees. Minister VN Vasavan rejected the decision in the Legislative Assembly.

B.V. Balu, a native of Aryanad belonging to the Ezhava community, will be re-appointed in the temple, said Chief Devaswom Chairperson Adv. C.K. Gopi. The management committee will take a decision tomorrow. In case of any objection, action will be taken against the tantris. Balu was transferred as an office attendant from his earlier Kazhakam duty. Meanwhile, Balu, who is on leave, has informed that he is ready to continue in his new post.

The Human Rights Commission voluntarily filed a case against the Tantri community's decision to question the process of reappointing an Ezhava community member as Kazhakam staff in the temple. Commission member V. Geetha suggested that Cochin Devaswom Commissioner and Koodalmanikyam Executive Officer investigate the issue and submit a report within two weeks.